Building Lasting Value
Have you ever wondered why some ideas, businesses, and habits stand the test of time while others fade as quickly as they arrive? It’s not just luck—it’s a principle called the Lindy Effect, and it holds fascinating lessons for life and business.
The Lindy Effect suggests that the longer something has existed, the longer it is likely to endure. Whether it’s a centuries-old philosophy like Stoicism, a classic novel, or even a time-tested business practice, longevity can signify resilience and relevance.
But how does this apply to business?
Chasing the ‘Next Big Thing’
In the tech and trend-driven world of business, it’s tempting to chase the “next big thing.” Yet, the Lindy Effect reminds us to consider what has already proven its value.
Take enduring businesses like Coca-Cola or Apple. While they’ve embraced innovation, their foundations—quality, branding, and customer connection—have remained consistent. They’ve survived and thrived by balancing what works with what evolves.
What do you think about your business? Are you building on timeless principles or caught in the cycle of fleeting trends?
Applying the Lindy Effect to Your Work
The Lindy Effect is a powerful tool for shaping your professional strategy. By grounding your work in principles and practices that have endured, you can create a solid foundation for long-term success. It’s not about resisting innovation but about aligning it with proven wisdom to build something that lasts. Let’s explore how this mindset can transform your business and personal growth approach.
1. Revisit Proven Practices
Think about the strategies, frameworks, or principles that consistently deliver results in your business or career. Your “Lindy” practices deserve refinement and reinforcement rather than replacement.
For example, email campaigns remain a cornerstone of marketing communication, even in the age of social media. They’ve proven their ability to connect directly with an audience in a personal way.
Ask yourself: What practices in your business are tried, tested, and true? How can you do them even better?
2. Seek Timeless Knowledge
While staying up to date with trends is essential, there’s unparalleled value in learning from ideas that have endured. Classic books, philosophies, and frameworks often contain universally applicable and endlessly relevant principles.
Examples include books like Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People and Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. These works continue to inspire because they focus on enduring human behaviours and relationships. Business models like Toyota’s lean manufacturing system or Jim Collins’ concepts in Good to Great highlight practices that adapt well across industries and time.
3. Build for the Long Term
When creating something—whether it’s a product, service, or even a team structure—ask yourself if it has the potential to endure. The key is to design with longevity, ensuring that your work has immediate impact and future relevance.
Products: Are they built to solve fundamental problems rather than temporary ones? For example, consider how Dropbox solved the timeless need for secure, accessible file storage.
Processes: Are your internal systems scalable and adaptable? A method that works for a 10-person team may only serve a 100-person company if designed with growth in mind.
Culture: The most enduring organisations, from Disney to Patagonia, have strong cultures based on unchanging core values like creativity, sustainability, or customer focus.
4. Balance Innovation with Timeless Principles
While innovation is essential for staying competitive, the Lindy Effect reminds us to ground it in principles that have already proven their worth. This balance ensures that we do not reinvent the wheel but enhance it.
For instance, Netflix has innovated the entertainment industry but grounded its success in the timeless principle of delivering quality content to customers in the most convenient way.
Apple’s product designs are consistently fresh, yet its focus on simplicity and user experience has been a core principle since its early days.
Action Step: Next time you brainstorm new ideas, start with: “What is the enduring principle here, and how can we build on it?”
5. Focus on Timeless Skills
Some skills remain relevant no matter the era:
Effective Communication: Whether in person, via email, or in presentations, this skill is an evergreen asset.
Strategic Thinking: The ability to plan, prioritise, and execute will always be in demand.
Adaptability: While trends come and go, adaptability ensures you can respond effectively to change while staying true to your core values.
By applying these principles, you’ll embrace the wisdom of the Lindy Effect and ensure that your business, career, and personal development efforts create enduring value.
The Lindy Effect reminds us to pause and reflect. What’s truly essential? What will endure? And how can we balance innovation with longevity to create lasting value?
Have a brilliant week!
Dave Rogers – The Business Explorer