Age of Empires

An empire is a large political entity, or a collection of states and territories, ruled by a single supreme authority, often an emperor, and controls diverse peoples and lands beyond its original borders through formal annexation or informal domination.

Depending on who you ask, the Roman Empire lasted some 500-1500 years. While the specific duration and events can be debated, what is certain is that the Empire had a rise, a peak and a collapse. This is the most interesting part. Rome was not built in a day, and it also did not collapse in a day. To me, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s the rise or the fall, I’m going to vibe either way.

For the context of the contemporary corporate worker, we almost have no choice but to participate in the empire that offers us the best deal. These corporate empires often last longer than any one person within it. At this point in our career, we may not have a choice in what stage of the empire we’re living through. Perhaps it is a matter of perception.

Every so often, I come across an essay or op-ed romanticizing the 1950-60s (post ww2) era of North America from the perspective of how wonderful it was had you been a boomer. The post-war era was very prosperous for those living through that period of time. Military technologies such as computation and jet engines were being commercialized and deployed into civilian life. This provided an opportunity for some industrialists to create their own empires, some of which still stand today.

What I think we’re witnessing right now is the transfer of power from the boomers to the next generation leaders. The future belongs to those who show up. To those willing to take it. Seize it.

I think it’s completely up to us on what portion of the empire we want to participate in. As some empires fall, others are being created. This may just be the corporate circle of life.

This whole topic of empires makes me ask myself some questions:

What stage of the empire do you see yourself in?
What role do you play, and want to play in the transition from one empire to the next?
How do you prepare yourself to thrive within whichever empire you’re in?
What role does technology play?
Is it even worth attempting to change the empire?