How ‘Longpath’ Can Rescue Us from the Trap of Short-Termism (and Why Leaders Need It Now)

Why the world’s biggest problems need leaders who think like ancestors, not just managers.

In a world obsessed with quarterly profits, breaking news, and viral trends, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. Ari Wallach’s ‘Longpath’ is a clarion call to leaders everywhere: if you want to build something that lasts, you have to think like an ancestor, not just a manager.

Wallach explains that our brains are hardwired to seek quick wins and avoid pain. This ‘short-termism’ pervades our organizations and politics, leading to crisis management and patchwork solutions. The metaphor of sandbagging a house during a flood—effective in the moment, but useless if we never address the rising waters—captures this perfectly.

But Longpath offers hope. By cultivating empathy for both ancestors and descendants, leaders can break free from the tyranny of the urgent and focus on what truly matters. Wallach’s Voros Cone framework helps organizations map not just the future they expect, but the futures they desire—and then work backward to make them real. The trim tab metaphor empowers even junior employees to see themselves as agents of change, capable of steering the ship with small, well-placed actions.

The book is filled with examples: companies that shifted their mission from maximizing profit to maximizing impact; cities that redesigned neighborhoods for walkability and sustainability; teams that instituted ‘pause and learn’ rituals to foster trust and innovation.

Longpath leadership isn’t about heroics—it’s about humility, listening, and a willingness to plant seeds you may never see grow. It’s the antidote to burnout, cynicism, and shallow success. If you’re ready to lead with legacy in mind, ‘Longpath’ is your essential guide.

Start today: ask your team what story they want future generations to tell about your work. The answers may surprise—and inspire—you.