Families running in the fifth, and final, stage of family development are making a difference in the world and are measuring their impact in multi-generational time frames. These families have been in continuous dynastic existence for multiple generations (the oldest non-royal families we know of have been in coherent existence for between 900 and 1200 years). These families are intentionally planting the seeds for unborn generations and often look back on extremely rich family traditions. People from these families tend to be leaders in their professions, in politics, in business, in the arts, and in philanthropy. Family summits are annual occasions of real personal and collective growth, deep governance and real connection. Families in this stage are actively and skillfully managing the human, social, cultural and financial capital in high impact ways. They are also well aware of the self-organizing nature of the family and the need for agility and adaptation. Often these families have complex governance systems and are engaged in viewing the family as a massive enterprise. These families typically need help in managing the complexity of multi-generational processes that ensure long term continuity.
Questions:
- What family dynasties are you aware of?
- What are the characteristics you see in these dynastic families? What do you think makes them as successful as they have been?