Patrick Leddin muses on how work, and attitudes to it, have changed over the generations — and wonders what is next in store.
Recently I travelled to Orlando, Florida for a client meeting.
As I settled into my seat, the Southwest Airlines flight attendant announced that the journey was the final leg in our pilot’s 42-year aviation career.
After 22 years with Southwest Airlines and 20 years in the military, he was hanging up his captain’s hat.
In many ways, the entire flight was a celebration of the captain’s career.
Passengers applauded at take-off and touchdown.
Commemorative cookies were handed out at cruising altitude.
A fire truck sprayed a booming arc of water over the plane as we taxied to the gate in Orlando.
The captain stood at the door shaking hands as each passenger disembarked.
It was a celebration of a successful career, a job well done, and a level of commitment deserving of our collective appreciation.
After a four-year stint in the military, my father returned home and turned his efforts toward building a successful career.
He worked for the same company for 38 years.
He never took a sick day.
His nearly four decade-long-career with the same organisation and a marriage of 50+ years to my mum are enduring signs to his commitment.
I too spent time in the military.
My dad chose the Navy; I joined the Army.
I’ve been married nearly 27 years; I’m confident that five decades plus with my wife is both a beautiful and attainable goal.
However, my father and I depart ways when it comes to our efforts beyond the military and marriage.
Since leaving the Army, I’ve lived in eight different States and worked for four organisations.
My career has been full of overlaps among these organisations.
Today, I’m full-time at Vanderbilt University and consult part-time.
Where my dad’s career was objectively stable, mine has been fairly fluid.
I cannot help but wonder what my two 20-something children will experience over the coming decades.
The differences in career expectations and organisational commitment are often explained away with a simple (yet, potentially insufficient) argument.
My dad, the Southwest pilot, myself and my kids are from different generations.
My dad’s a Traditionalist, the pilot a Baby Boomer.
Of course, they spent decades with their companies.
That is what was expected of them.
I’m a Gen Xer. I’m likely to have a more fluid career.
My daughter is a Millennial and researchers predict she will change organisations every three-to-five years.
My son is in Gen Z.
Who knows what career patterns will emerge, but he will likely move jobs more than my dad, my daughter, and myself.
I understand times change.
Technology advancements, globalisation, business and social norms, career development expectations, the proliferation of online recruiting tools, and a wide range of other forces have conspired to create the current workforce dynamic.
For the most part, I like these changes. I embrace them.
That said, I can’t help but respect and admire the commitment of my dad, the Southwest captain who safely piloted us to Orlando, and the countless other people who dedicate their careers to one or two organisations.
Take a look around your organisation and ask yourself a few questions.
Are you creating a culture where the best performers will commit long-term to the team’s success?
When was the last time you paused to genuinely thank those who have demonstrated long-term commitment to the organisation?
Remember, you don’t have to wait until a milestone or anniversary to say thanks.
How can you better tap into the commitment, knowledge, passion, and persistence of your long-term employees?
I wish you all the best as your work to build long-term relationships with your team members.
No doubt, those relationships will be some of the most rewarding of your career.
*Patrick Leddin is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, teaching corporate strategy and managerial studies. He is also a global management consultant, partnering with executives and teams in many countries. He can be contacted at linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin.
This article first appeared on Patrick’s blogsite.
