WHAT'S NEXT JOURNAL: VOL 1 - March 2026
THE FUTURE OF WORK IS LONGER THAN YOU THINK
We are living through a profound shift in how we think about work, age, and the arc of our lives.
Longer lifespans are transforming the traditional three-stage model of education, career, and retirement. Instead, many of us will experience multiple careers, periods of reinvention, and new opportunities for contribution well into later decades of life.
At What’s Next Initiative, we explore what this transition means—for individuals navigating midlife pivots, and for organizations preparing for a more age-diverse workforce.
Each month, we share insights, research, and inspiration from across the longevity landscape. Here’s what we’ve been exploring recently.
LATEST AT WHAT’S NEXT
We were thrilled to bring What’s Next Initiative to three major events shaping the conversation around longevity, careers, and learning in March:
Century Summit VI: Longevity, Learning and the Future of Work at the Stanford Center on Longevity where leaders from education, business, government, and civil society gathered to explore what work and learning look like in a world of longer lives.
The conversations reinforced something we see every day at What’s Next Initiative: longevity is reshaping the architecture of careers — from how we learn, to how long we work, to how organizations think about talent across age groups.
You can read our key takeaways from the summit here.
TEDxLondonBusinessSchool , where conversations ranged from the impact of AI to the evolving role of human creativity and purpose.
Among the many inspiring talks, one theme stood out: as technology advances rapidly, the human side of work—meaning, belonging, and lifelong learning—becomes even more important. From our relationship with nature, to the perspectives we overlook, to the way curiosity changes how we see the world, the themes that stayed with us were less about disruption and more about awareness, perspective, and renewal.
Future of Longevity Conference in London, hosted by the International Longevity Centre - UK. It was inspiring to hear leaders like Rt Hon Chloe Smith, Jacynth Bassett , Annie Coleman , and Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong share practical insights on multigenerational workforces, tackling ageism, and the role of community in supporting longer careers. We were proud to present our perspective on how individuals can shape their careers in midlife and how organizations can better support people navigating longer working lives.
OUR RESEARCH
We shared some research and writing exploring how longevity is reshaping leadership, workplaces, and cultural narratives around aging.
Think Piece: What’s Missing From the Longevity Conversation?
The longevity conversation often focuses on healthcare and retirement. But an equally important question remains underexplored: what does a meaningful life look like across 80, 90, or even 100 years?
Work, learning, community, and purpose all play critical roles in how we experience longer lives. Expanding the conversation beyond longevity as simply “living longer” to living well, contributing, and continuing to grow is essential.
Think Piece: The Chief Longevity Officer: What Do They Do, and Does Every Company Need One?
As longevity becomes a defining demographic shift, some organizations are beginning to appoint leaders responsible for understanding its implications across the business.
A Chief Longevity Officer looks at questions such as:
How will longer lives reshape workforce planning?
How can organizations support multi-stage careers?
What opportunities exist in the rapidly growing longevity economy?
Forward-thinking companies are beginning to realize that longevity is not just a healthcare issue—it is a workforce, innovation, and strategy issue.
THE NEXT SHELF
This month, we’re shining a light on four books that explore aging, longevity, and the evolving nature of midlife and work. These reads combine scientific research, expert insight, and practical guidance to help navigate the challenges and opportunities of longer lives.
Life Reimagined – Barbara Bradley Hagerty Midlife isn’t the start of decline, it can be a springboard for purpose, curiosity, and reinvention.
The 100-Year Life – Lynda Gratton & Andrew Scott The traditional three-stage life is breaking down. Learn how to plan your career, finances, and life across a century-long horizon.
The Longevity Economy – Joseph F. Coughlin A myth-busting exploration of aging’s market power—particularly the influence of older women—and why business must catch up.
Learning to Love Midlife – Chip ConleyAn uplifting reframe of midlife as a period of wisdom, growth, and meaningful contribution, from the founder of Modern Elder Academy.
ON OUR RADAR
A few recent articles from around the web that sparked our thinking:
Leadership Strategy in the Longevity Era – Forbes Is your organization ready for longer lives? This piece explains why longevity and age inclusion are now critical for resilient, multigenerational teams. Read here
How to Find the Meaning of Life – The Guardian Small everyday actions—wonder, flow, coherence, and community—can help us build a life with purpose rather than chasing a grand singular answer. Read here
4 Ways to Retain Older Workers and Boost the Global Economy – World Economic Forum Flexible work, lifelong learning, and age-inclusive policies help businesses retain seasoned talent and strengthen economies. Read here
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