Tours of Duty Framework

Reid Hoffman's "The Alliance" framework addresses how to manage modern employment relationships given shorter employee tenures, especially in tech.

Core Concept

• Employment should be viewed as a mutually beneficial alliance between employer and employee
• Average tech company tenure is now ~2 years or less
• Traditional expectation of 20+ year careers at one company is outdated
• Companies need to adapt to this new reality rather than fight against it

Key Principles

• Mutual Understanding
  • Explicitly acknowledge that employment may be temporary
  • Set clear expectations about potential tenure (2-4 years typically)
  • Recognize when relationship is no longer mutually beneficial
• Network-Based Approach
  • Former employees become company champions and advocates
  • Maintain positive relationships after departure
  • Leverage alumni network for:
    • Future investments
    • Potential rehires
    • Referrals and recruiting
    • Business opportunities

Management Strategy

• Support employees' eventual departure
• Be transparent about expectations
• Focus on mutual benefit during employment period
• Transform departing employees into valuable network assets
• Maintain relationships beyond employment period

Challenge

• Entrepreneurial employees are harder to retain long-term
• These employees often make best short-term contributors
• Need to balance getting maximum value during their tenure while planning for eventual departure

The framework emphasizes treating employment as a defined tour of duty rather than an indefinite commitment, while maintaining positive relationships that extend beyond the employment period.