Longevity

There is something to be said for being around for a long time. For instance, living a long time generates a certain level of respect. Having a few years under one's belt does tend to bring with it at least a smattering of wisdom and valuable experience. These are no small things. Wisdom and experience, for instance, help all of us develop a sense of what actions work better than others or teaches us how to interact with others in ways that keep unwanted conflict or resistance to a minimum. Neither one of these are small things, either. Talking with people who have obtained some degree of longevity has its benefits as well.

As part of a work-related project, I recently interviewed five individuals who have worked at the same place for forty years. That, needless to say, is an extremely long time. Think of all that has transpired in our country and world during that time: Nixon's resignation, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the rise of social media, and the beginning of a new century. On a personal front, during that time period I became a parent, lost both of my own parents, and moved from one state to another. Yet these individuals have worked at one place for all that time and from the gist of their conversation are not yet ready to enter into retirement. I say "good for them" and for all others who choose to hang their hats at one place or in one situation for what we often call "the long haul."

Long-term connections, long-term relationships and long-term efforts very much have their place in our world. From a communication standpoint, it is my sense that one important lesson that comes with longevity is a greater appreciation of listening. Though I am not old enough to be mistaken for Father Time, I have come to learn a couple of important tidbits: often times the perspectives and insights of others make a lot more sense than mine; a very effective way to increase one's knowledge base is by listening and gathering information; talking is not always what it is cracked up to be; and the sound of my own voice - either out loud or in writing - does not always sound as good to others as it does to me. For me, at least, those lessons came about through longevity.