What Thinking in Centuries Looks Like
What does thinking in centuries look like?
This picture captures it for me:
On the left, Tony—better known as “GG-Dad.” On the right, Matthew—better known as “little Matthew.” They stand about 100 years apart, separated by a century of innovation, hardship, growth, and love.
Imagine building in such a way that the foundation can last for those who come many generations from now— holding at the forefront how present choices compound for decades.
When GG-Dad came into the world, scotch tape and chocolate chip cookies were just being invented.
When little Matthew joined us, artificial intelligence was evolving from science fiction to a necessary skillset for business survival.
A lot has changed in 100 years. Thank goodness chocolate chip cookies were invented and perfected over the past ten decades!
But the most important principles of our world haven’t changed. The fundamental values that carry us through uncertainty and struggle are timeless. And at the heart of it all is the most powerful force on the planet: LOVE.
Love transcends generations.
Love gives us a strong enough “why” to always find a way forward. Love enables a longer-term view beyond quarters or seasons. Love provides the conviction to beat to a different drum and push through the dips to find the insights to build great things with other great people.
Thinking in centuries is grounded in love. It’s grounded in compassion and a deep desire to leave behind something better than we found it. It’s thinking as if a business that you are leading is simply being borrowed so you can give it to its rightful owner in the future. That’s the approach I’m seeking to instill in my leadership thinking. I’m borrowing from my grandkids.
These two beautiful souls—GG-Dad and little Matthew—are proof that thinking in centuries means creating an environment where great-grandchildren can flourish. They remind me that leadership is about making choices today that will serve the present and ripple through generations.
And with the right lens, ALL of us can do that —in our families and in our daily work. We can lead and do our daily tasks in a way that honors those who will come long after us.
It starts by seeing the opportunities right in front of us. I’ll share next week some of the small daily practices I try to use to open my heart and eyes to see the opportunities in front of me just like this above moment between little Matthew and GG-Dad.
At the end of it all, its about finding a way forward with the people you hold dear—at home and at work.
Leave it better than you found it.
Leave them better than you found them.
Onward,
Matt