The wealthiest families in the world hold secrets that are passed down through the generations
Educational secrets that even the most exclusive schools don’t teach
In fact, virtually all schools are horrible at teaching finance, whatever their fees
This is why Family Offices do not rely on schools
They have exclusive financial education programs. Programs delivered through private agencies, Ivy League universities and specialist organizations
11 lessons on financial education from Family Offices
(and tips on how they can be applied by any family)
→ Lesson 1: be open
A simple one to start
Successful UHNW multi-generational families talk about money. They are not coy
It’s part of everyday life to talk about business, wealth and money. Business at the dinner table is never off limits
Wealth brings opportunities and difficulties. But if wealth is a taboo subject, opportunities will be missed and difficulties exacerbated
A lot of people think they are helping their kids by shielding them from financial matters. But like any topic, to master it, you need to be consistently exposed to it
→ Lesson 2: start young
That doesn’t mean telling wealthy toddlers their net worth
It means teaching kids about:
- the history of the family wealth
- the scope of the wealth
- the family values
As they get older, focus can shift to areas such as budgeting and saving. Then investing, tax, credit, finance, philanthropy
Kindergartens and schools don’t teach finance. It’s on you
→ Lesson 3: curate bespoke financial education
Family offices often engage specialist agents to customize education for families. The lessons can take different forms; workshops, one-on-one tutorials, distance learning, etc.
The bespoke educational programs are based on the specific needs, experience, and knowledge of the family members
The circumstances of the family will also help inform the educational program, for example:
- has the family recently experienced a liquidity event
- is there an ongoing operating company
- do some family members want to work in the family office and some in other fields
- are there specific succession issues to address
The education programs will be tailored to the dynamics of the specific family, taking into account the involvement of spouses, extended families, step-siblings, etc.
Regular families may not have complex family businesses to navigate, but you can still design your kids’ financial education based on their personalities, interests, and your family’s circumstances
→ Lesson 4: find mentors
Wealthy families have a rich source of mentors for their children. These can be people from the family office, the operating business, or the family network. It's an inherent privilege
Family offices help ensure that suitable mentors are available at the right time in the lives of the next generation
Many seasoned operators are used to being asked to be mentors on LinkedIn or Twitter. But in my experience, wealthy families don’t formally request mentorships. They ask wise colleagues or acquaintances to advise their kids on X or talk to them about Y. From there relationships can blossom. Exposing kids to experienced and intelligent counsel can lead to a blossoming mentor/mentee relationship
Whatever level of wealth you have, you can encourage your kids to seek advice from smart people and ask your friends to guide your kids. Any parent who coaches kids' sports will know that advice from another coach usually lands far better than parental advice
→ Lesson 5: get involved
Multi-generational wealthy families understand the importance of getting their children actively involved in the family business or family office
Involvement goes beyond mere observation. It means children having a voice and a sense of belonging within the family's financial life
Getting kids involved provides:
- first hand experience of finance, entrepreneurship, and management
- exposure to the inner workings of wealth creation, investment decisions, and strategic planning
Being hands-on empowers children to develop a deeper understanding of how money flows and how decisions are made within the family
The level of involvement should gradually increase over time
While it may initially feel awkward or challenging for both the kids and the employees, the speed at which children learn by actively participating is remarkable
All families, regardless of their wealth, can benefit from giving their children responsibilities and involving them in the family's work. It could involve engaging children in household finances, budgeting, or saving for family goals. It may also mean involving them in family projects or ventures, such as charitable initiatives
The key is to provide children with opportunities to actively participate and contribute, enabling them to develop a sense of financial empowerment and responsibility
→ Lesson 6: give responsibility
In tandem with getting involved, wealthy families teach their children the value of taking responsibility
When children are entrusted with meaningful tasks and responsibilities, they
- gain valuable experience
- develop a sense of accountability
- gain a sense of independence
- learn self-reliance
Family offices help wealthy families assign age-appropriate tasks that align with their abilities and interests. As children grow older, their responsibilities can expand, for example to managing a small portion of the family's investments or participating in financial decision-making discussions
The act of giving responsibility supports decision-making and problem-solving
It also helps kids learn about the consequences of their actions
It's important for parents to provide guidance and support while allowing children to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes. Mistakes and setbacks are valuable learning opportunities that shape children's financial acumen and resilience
For regular families, giving responsibility can start with simple tasks such as managing a small allowance or participating in family financial discussions. As children mature, parents can gradually increase their responsibilities, such as involving them in investment decisions or teaching them about credit and financial planning. The goal is to instill a sense of ownership and accountability while equipping children with the skills necessary to navigate their financial futures
→ Lesson 7: have a plan
Successful UHNW families recognize the importance of having a structured learning plan for their children spanning many years
This means avoiding a haphazard approach; but instead, purposefully helping kids acquire the necessary skills and knowledge as they grow up
A comprehensive financial education plan can encompass various aspects, including
- budgeting
- saving
- investing
- taxes
- credit
- finance
- philanthropy
Part of the plan should be to learn about the family office itself, the structure, the organization, and the importance of governance and decision-making
Regular families can also create tailored learning plans based on their children's personalities, interests, and family circumstances. Plans should remain flexible and implementation can include part-time jobs, family activities, volunteering, etc.
→ Lesson 8: model behavior - set an example
Actions speak louder than words when it comes to teaching financial values
Enduring families show their children how to behave and interact with others in financial matters, they lead by example. Children imitate the behavior they observe in their parents
Modeling behavior helps kids build healthy respectful relationships. It also helps kids to understand boundaries within the family and family office
A common theme in the education of the next generation is how to balance assertiveness and respect. Getting that balance right is vital for younger members joining a family business
Regular families should also model positive financial behavior, regardless of their level of wealth
By setting an example, you instill valuable lessons in your children, shaping their attitudes and behaviors toward money
→ Lesson 9: discover purpose
Discovering purpose in their life is particularly challenging for ultra-wealthy children
Wealth can provide an overwhelming array of choices, leaving children contemplating how to create meaning and purpose in their own lives
Family offices help the next generation to effectively balance career aspirations with engagement in family life
Finding a purpose in life is important for all families, no matter what the wealth. No matter what your aspirations are for your kids, they need to be able to choose their own path in life
→ Lesson 10: effective family communication
Family offices support effective communication within the family. For rising generations, balancing respect for the older generation while asserting their voice is vital
Mastering communication is key to becoming an impactful family leader
This involves
> active listening
> clear messaging
> developing emotional intelligence
Effective communication is vital for all families. Talk about finance, talk about financial goals, talk about financial decision-making
→ Lesson 11: give back
Wealthy families have a long-standing tradition of philanthropy. This practice not only strengthens their connection with the community but also gives purpose to their wealth
Charitable endeavors help family offices to connect with like-minded people
Engaging with community and philanthropic boards equips younger family members with valuable skills that carry over to their roles within the family business or family office. It also helps family members build:
- leadership skills
- collaboration skills
Regardless of wealth, all families have the ability to give back to their local community whether it's through donations or time. It helps build connections with their community but also provides opportunities for networking and personal growth
---
To summarize:
→ Lesson 1: be open
→ Lesson 2: start young
→ Lesson 3: curate bespoke financial education
→ Lesson 4: find mentors
→ Lesson 5: get involved
→ Lesson 6: give responsibility
→ Lesson 7: have a plan
→ Lesson 8: model behavior - set an example
→ Lesson 9: discover purpose
→ Lesson 10: effective family communication
→ Lesson 11: give back
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@MrFamilyOffice
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