Why Measure in Centuries
As leaders, we are climbers.
Milton Friedman wrote a notorious New York Times article in 1970 that deeply influenced the modern business world. He wrote: “There is one, and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits.”
This is a common hill most people find themselves climbing. A race focused on transactions. I found myself on this climb early in my career.
Quick wins, fast growth, big bonus/big exit. It’s a climb full of ambition and independence. It’s the climb schools teach us about. It’s about cracking the code for using resources as efficiently as possible. You may find cash at the top of this hill, but you will also find a lack of fulfillment, burnt-out teams, and hollow victories scattered along the way.
There is another hill to climb. In fact, it’s a mountain—one that Steve Jobs spoke about toward the end of his career, “the hardest work in business [is to] build a company that will stand for something a generation or two from now.”
Imagine being part of building a company that has a foundation to transcend generations.
I call this Measuring in Centuries.
I feel fortunate that early in my career a dear mentor of mine nudged me, gave me binoculars, and pointed into the distance.
I noticed a soaring mountain in the haze of the horizon. Many don’t see it until the end of their career. It’s much bigger. It’s much more daunting.
This mountain in the distance is for century-minded leaders. Anything truly great takes time. There are no shortcuts. Climbing this mountain leads to an inescapable reality to face what we want most: Meaning (purpose) and Belonging (relationships).
As I lead a 4th generation, 108-year-old family business, I believe I’m in a unique position to provide value in sharing what it takes for leaders and companies to transcend generations.
I don’t have the answers, but I have a path to explore with you as we climb this distant mountain of relationships & purpose.
I believe leaders and organizations that want to do the hard work that Steve Jobs spoke about must Measure in Centuries.
There are three foundational pillars I see to Measure in Centuries:
HUMANITY (Do Good.)– Creating a culture of care and a deep sense of belonging, while fostering the healthy tension needed to achieve full potential.
COMPOUNDING (Do Well.) – Stacking days of hard work over a long period of time to create exponential returns over time. Showing up day after day. Rain or shine. Loving the work itself. Obsession of the process, not the results.
STEWARDSHIP (Be Good.) – Knowing when to let go. Knowing when your moment to lead has come to an end. Preparing for this hand off without ego and serving the best interests of the organization.
Measuring in Centuries is a meaningful mountain to climb because it flexes the right muscles for a life well lived: rich with wisdom and relationships.
Do Good (HUMANITY). Do Well (COMPOUND). Be Good (STEWARDSHIP).
Onward,
Matt