Longevity Is an Intentional Outcome

C-Level Column

Mar 15

A few weeks ago in this space, we explored the arts of personal transformation and career reinventions.

This week, we’re going to cover the opposite end of the spectrum: The art of building a long and successful career as an executive with one organization.

Wendy Baumann recently celebrated her 27th year at the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), where she serves as president and chief visionary officer.

The WWBIC provides quality business and financial education coupled with access to fair capital and financial services. Baumann and the WWBIC operate with the tagline, “Putting Dreams to Work.”

The WWBIC focuses its resources on entrepreneurs such as women, people of color, veterans and low-income Wisconsin residents who face barriers to accessing traditional financing or resources.

“Like Willie Nelson once said, ‘Live every day as if it is your last and one day you will be right.’ Well, how about a twist – Try to live every day right and you will be right,” Baumann said.

I asked Wendy to reflect on her longevity at the WWBIC. How has she managed to maintain her career of service at one organization for nearly three decades? Here are her keys to a professional mindset that accommodates longevity.

Keep it real. “If the work at hand is real to you and real to the organization, firm or business, as well as real to your associates, employees and bring in family here too, then the work is easy to hold on to and keep,” Baumann said. “Meaningful work is far more than a paycheck, and I have been so fortunate to have had that real work in my life – certainly for the past 27 years through WWBIC.”
If there is passion, then dedication, effort and persistence will follow. “Passion to me is fuel. As one of our WWIBC vice presidents – for 25 years – put it: ‘I don’t have Sunday night-itis – I am looking forward to Monday.’ For me, all days are Mondays, and I look forward to advancing the work and doing so with passion,” Baumann said.
Find your second banana, if you need one. “I have found that one cannot do it all. Know what you are good at and do that as much as you can and then find that second banana who complements your strengths with very different strengths,” Baumann said.
Avoid boredom. “If you are bored, it is hard to continue on. Time elongates with the tick and tock of each moment when you are bored. When you are engaged, the days evaporate. Why have I stayed at WWBIC for 27 years? I am truly not bored,” Baumann said.
Treat your career like it is your calling. “In the great movie, ‘Cider House Rules,’ there’s a line that stuck with me. It’s when someone asked the farmer, ‘What is your business?’ He responded, ‘Apples is my business,’” Baumann said. “If you have this at work, it may and can remain for decades.”
Stretch and grow. “Sometimes as leaders we live in and for the plan – trying out information, data and timelines and making it look good, flow and present well. This is fine. But sometimes we need to serve up Jello – a bit wiggly. Just do it! Often in life, the things that we regret the most are the things we did not do,” Baumann said.
Being tired at the end of the day is a good thing. “It is OK to work hard and be tired and then refresh as you want or need to. Also, at the end of the day, can you place your head on your pillow and know you made the best effort you could that day? If you can do that most of the time – you are in the right spot all around,” Baumann said.