“Families of affinity, not families of blood, will be those who flourish five generations into the future and can imagine going on from there in an unending upward spiral of new flourishing generations.”
In the pursuit of building a lasting legacy of multi-generational wealth, affluent families face a profound challenge: how to redefine wealth beyond mere financial abundance and embrace a holistic approach that nurtures well-being across generations. This transformational concept of wealth encourages families to leverage all their resources, beyond monetary assets alone.
James E. ”Jay” Hughes Jr., a now-retired sixth-generation counselor-at-law and author and co-author of multiple books and influential articles on family governance and wealth preservation, devoted his career to discovering how wealthy families may capitalize on all of their resources to build a family that flourishes across multiple generations. This happens when families focus on five key capitals, which Jay defines as “The Five Capitals: Wealth as Well-Being”. Below, we break down these Five Capitals, broadening our understanding of wealth in today’s day and age.
Human Capital
The human capital of a family consists of the individuals who make up the family. Their human capital includes their physical and emotional well-being as well as each member’s ability to find meaningful work, establish a positive sense of identity, and pursue his or her own happiness.
Intellectual Capital
A family’s intellectual capital is composed of the knowledge gained through the life experiences of each family member, or what each family member knows. Some signs of intellectual capital include family members’ academic successes, career growth, artistic achievements, their understanding of their individual and family finances, and their ability to teach and learn from each other about what they know.
Social Capital
Social capital refers to family members’ relationships with each other and with their communities. No family exists without some social capital. Some key indicators of it include the family’s ability to make thoughtful, shared decisions together, to welcome new members into itself, and to give of itself—in time, talent, and treasure—to the larger society of which it is a part. For many families, their philanthropic efforts fall into this category of capital.
Spiritual Capital
Spiritual capital is the family’s ability to share and sustain an intention that transcends each member’s individual interests. Sometimes that shared intention is described as a shared dream.
This capital is not necessarily equivalent to a family’s religious beliefs or traditions, though such a tradition may express and nurture spiritual capital. No family begins the journey of family wealth without some sort of shared intention—that is, without some form of spiritual capital. Spiritual capital also includes humility—the recognition that this journey is fraught with challenges and exceeds the strength of any one of us alone—and gratitude—toward those with whom we share the journey, those who came before, and those who will come after us.
Financial Capital
Financial capital is what most people tend to associate with “wealth.” This type of capital refers to the property a family owns. This property may include cash, public securities, privately held company stock, and interests in private partnerships.
Financial capital greatly contributes to a family’s ability to cultivate other forms of capital. It makes possible quality health care, education, philanthropy, and the time and opportunities to come together and talk about building and sustaining a shared dream. The opportunity to cultivate these qualitative assets is a great gift, which financial capital makes possible
Creating Pathways for Personal Growth and Fulfillment
The Five Capitals framework doesn’t only apply to the family as a whole; it may also encourage personal growth. By exploring and nurturing each of these capitals, individuals can pave meaningful pathways towards a more balanced and fulfilling life. Individual members of the family may gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Reflecting on their strengths and areas for improvement in each capital, they uncover valuable insights and align their actions with their core values and aspirations. Instead of solely focusing on financial wealth, the idea of diversifying wealth across these capitals empowers people to build a more resilient foundation for well-being.
Setting meaningful goals becomes a more enriching experience with the Five Capitals in mind. As individuals pursue a balanced approach to success, their aspirations encompass not only financial achievements but also personal growth, meaningful relationships, and allocating time for what truly matters. The framework encourages cultivating gratitude for the abundance in each capital, shifting the focus away from the relentless pursuit of monetary wealth to appreciating the richness of life’s various dimensions.
Understanding the Difference Between
Entitlement and Empowerment
One of the most important aspects of redefining wealth through the Five Capitals framework is shifting the mindset of affluent family members from entitlement to empowerment as part of their personal growth. This issue arises when family members inherit substantial financial wealth without a corresponding understanding of the responsibilities and opportunities that come with it.
Entitlement is a mindset that can be detrimental to both personal growth and the overall success of the family enterprise. When individuals feel entitled, they may expect success and rewards to come effortlessly without putting in the necessary effort to dedication. This passive attitude can hinder progress and lead to complacency, as individuals may rely on their family’s financial resources without taking the initiative to develop their own skills or pursue meaningful endeavors.
Promoting a culture of empowerment within the family enterprise is instrumental in preventing entitlement from taking root. Empowerment is about equipping family members with the necessary tools and resources to pursue their dreams and aspirations. It involves providing support, guidance, and encouragement as they navigate their own paths to success. Empowering individuals means giving them the freedom to explore their interests, discover their passions, and make their mark on the world in a way that aligns with their unique talents and strengths. When individuals within a family enterprise feel empowered, they are more likely to take ownership of their personal growth journey. They are motivated to work hard, embrace challenges, and persevere through obstacles because they understand that their efforts will yield results. Empowerment instills a sense of self-belief and confidence, empowering individuals to overcome setbacks and keep moving forward in pursuit of their goals.
In such a culture, success and accomplishments become more meaningful and satisfying, as they are the result of genuine effort and dedication. Ultimately, fostering a positive mindset of empowerment within your family enterprise not only leads to the growth and fulfillment of individual family members but also ensures the continued success and prosperity of the family’s legacy for generations to come. When each member is empowered to find their purpose and contribute to the family’s collective goals, the family enterprise becomes a harmonious and thriving ecosystem of happiness and contentment.
Flourishing as a family doesn’t just happen. It takes intention, often requiring a refining of how we define wealth. When families embrace the Five Capitals approach, family members become empowered beyond financial wealth, focusing on the overall well-being of the family’s purpose, paving the way for a fulfilling and harmonious future across multiple generations.
Beacon Family Office at
Assante Financial Management Ltd.
Suite 519, 10333 Southport Road S.W.,
Calgary, AB T2W 3X6
