Some families recognize that individuals within the family are far more likely to be successful if the family as a whole works together to support that success. Families moving into the third stage of Family Development often recognize that the complexity of family assets requires coordination and that the development of human, social and cultural capital within the family requires more intentional and focused communication. These families recognize that there is simply too much at stake both for the family as a whole and the individuals in the family to leave things to chance. Often the family has one or two visionaries who seek to develop a deeper, more intentional approach. These people see the need to continue to foster individuality, but also recognize that maximizing the potential of each individual requires greater family cohesion. It also requires the intentional investment of financial capital into the family as a whole. With some portion of the family resources directed back into the family to support the growth and maturation of the individuals in the family as well as the development of skills and competencies, these families can create a strong set of conditions for inter-generational success.
We find that gathering families often start by convening robust family meetings. The meetings often have an educational component and focus on the creation of a sense of family definition and identity. To be successful in the long run, these meetings also must be highly pragmatic and have clearly defined and agreed upon outcomes. Many families at this stage are uncertain how best to proceed to create the kinds of experiences that will accomplish all of this but they have a deeper certainty in the need for vision and coherent action. It seems that these families often need help in developing new communication patterns, engaging in polarity management, creating cognitive maps for sustainable wealth paradigms, and playing with the dynamics of their family systems.
Questions:
- Do you have clients that regularly have family meetings?
- Are these successful? If yes, why? If not, why not?
11. Gathering Families
Some families recognize that individuals within the family are far more likely to be successful if the family as a whole works together to support that success. Families moving into Stage 3 often recognize that the complexity of family assets requires coordination and that the development of human, social and cultural capital within the family requires more intentional and focused communication. These families recognize that there is simply too much at stake both for the family as a whole and the individuals in the family to leave things to chance. Often the family has one or two visionaries who seek to develop a deeper, more intentional approach. These people see the need to continue to foster individuality, but also recognize that maximizing the potential of each individual requires greater family cohesion. It also requires the intentional investment of financial capital into the family as a whole. With some portion of the family resources directed back into the family to support the growth and maturation of the individuals in the family as well as the development of skills and competencies, these families can create a strong set of conditions for inter-generational success.
We find that gathering families often start by convening robust family meetings. The meetings often have an educational component and focus on the creation of a sense of family definition and identity. To be successful in the long run, these meetings also must be highly pragmatic and have clearly defined and agreed upon outcomes. Many families at this stage are uncertain how best to proceed to create the kinds of experiences that will accomplish all of this but they have a deeper certainty in the need for vision and coherent action. It seems that these families often need help in developing new communication patterns, engaging in polarity management, creating cognitive maps for sustainable wealth paradigms, and playing with the dynamics of their family systems.
Questions:
1. Do you have clients that regularly have family meetings?
2. Are these successful? If yes, why? If not, why not?