Endure – ElPropósito4 min de lectura

Organizations that stand the test of time

How does an organization last, say, more than 100 years? A company starts with a vision, an idea, an inspiration and, above all, the will of one or more people. That first spark is the purpose that brings the idea to life. (That is why, if the founders are still alive and have never put their purpose into words, they should.) It can also be drawn out of the culture later on, since leaders shape culture, and what first brought the company to life can be recovered through them. So the first ingredient of longevity is purpose.

Companies that endure have a strong culture rooted in their values. Every culture is different, precisely because the values differ. Still, some traits look remarkably alike. One is disciplined execution, of their strategy for example. Another is a service mindset, which brings leadership, passion, trust and respect with it, among other things. Discipline and service are two big elements that pave the way for an organization that stands the test of time.

Who works at a company that is more than 100 years old? Leaders with a deep commitment to themselves, to the company and to the world. They know exactly how their work and individual effort connect with, and affect, the rest of the organization and the world beyond it. They see the organization as a system, a whole, so they understand what culture means and why it has to be protected. They care about bringing the best talent to the table, and about getting that talent up the culture’s learning curve quickly. Leadership wants newcomers delivering results soon, and it cares even more that they understand the ethical framework everyone works within.

What does a 100-year-old organization deliver? Respect. What great companies send out their doors, above any product or service, is respect. Respect in every sense: for the environment, for customers, suppliers and employees, for the people around them and for the world at large. They own what they do, and what they leave undone. They know everyone who works there has a life purpose, and nothing would please them more than for 1. their people to fulfill that purpose within the organization over time, and 2. those purposes to come together in harmony so they can be fulfilled.

Harmony of purpose is the essence of teams. A 100-year-old company is a collection of teams inside a system that lets them reach their full potential, above all their individual purposes in tune with the larger one. Individually, people in these organizations feel their contribution is received with complete trust, certain it will be taken as seriously as it deserves. These organizations have lasted because of the importance and respect they give the individual and their freedoms, and above all because they understand that each person comes into this world to fulfill a life purpose, and they are convinced their organization is the best place to do it.

Do you work at one of these? Are you building one that will last more than 100 years? Would you like to turn your company into an organization that lasts forever? Have you defined your organization’s purpose?

Warm regards and all the best,

Rodrigo Baccaro

• P.S. This week’s VELA:
• What I was watching: Jaime Bayly interviews his uncle Ricardo Letts. I have been a fan and admirer of Jaime for a long time. I especially like this interview for his genuine interest in spending time with his family and learning its history firsthand. I think at some point we should all interview every member of our family.
  – What I was listening to: Dave Brubeck, Take Five. A musical masterpiece. I think every Monday should start with this tune.
  – What I was reading: Captain Alatriste. I have to confess I knew the door to Pérez-Reverte would open sooner or later. What a joy it has been to meet Captain Alatriste. It is precisely when good things happen in my life (like discovering Arturo) that I understand that "the best is always yet to come."
  – What I was learning: Progressivism: origin, development and present day. Agustín Laje’s work is first-rate. The effort and dedication he puts into understanding the origins of the political ideology that, sadly, is gaining ground on the Latin American left is enormous. This video is well worth watching to understand what progressivism is and the damage it keeps doing to our society.

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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