Living and Working in the Age of Longevity
Summary
HBR Editor-in-Chief Adi Ignatius interviews Linda Gratton, author of *Living the 100-Year Life*, about adapting careers for increased longevity. Gratton argues that the traditional career ladder is obsolete, urging individuals to proactively "weave" their lives by balancing productivity with nurture. She advises managers to value older workers’ wisdom and judgment, especially in the age of AI, while institutions must evolve to support multi-stage, flexible work lives.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The reality of the 100-year life
Rethinking the three-stage life and financial realities
From career ladder to weaving your life
The eight threads of productivity and nurture
Institutional lag and the rise of flexible work
The portfolio life and personal agency
Why managers should care about longevity
Performance management over age proxies
AI's impact on productivity and career weaving
Practical steps: Diagnostics and small actions
Balancing productivity threads with nurture
Signals to revisit your life path
Navigating the tough labor market and AI
Three lessons for executives from pilot programs
Conclusion: Institutional change and future outlook
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