In conversation with Professor Lynda Gratton of London Business School : The traditional “learn, earn, retire” model is broken—it’s now the multi-stage life

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Professor Lynda Gratton of London Business School - renowned author of The 100-Year Life  - for a powerful discussion on the Future of Work—in front of a room full of forward thinking leaders hosted by Audley.

As an Ambassador of the Stanford Center on Longevity and founder of RealiseLongevity, I believe we are living through one of the biggest cultural and economic shifts of our time. And I’ve seen how the traditional concept of the “three-stage life” — learn, earn, retire — simply doesn’t reflect the reality of 100-year lives.

What Lynda and I explored was this:

🔹 Why a portfolio life, built on purpose and flexibility, is becoming the norm
🔹 Why ageism still limits opportunity, despite longer and healthier lives
🔹 Why AI will test us—but not replace what makes us human
🔹 And how organisations must redesign around life stage diversity, not generational stereotypes

In this clip, Lynda explains why the traditional “learn, earn, retire” model is broken—and what the multi-stage life means for all of us.

🎯 Key takeaway:

“You can’t just ‘magic up’ a portfolio life at 60. It needs to be built—deliberately, and early.”

This isn’t just theory. It’s a strategic, human, and leadership imperative.