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Wealth 3.0: From Fear to Engagement For Families and AdvisorsWealth 3.0: From Fear to Engagement For Families and Advisors

A new approach is needed in mindset and professional services.

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Jim Grubman, Dr. Dennis T. Jaffeand 1 more

January 25, 2022

14 Min Read
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An oft-repeated parable describes a wise grandfather explaining to his young grandchild how there are two wolves fighting for the soul of the world. One wolf embodies that which is evil—the qualities of hate, envy , greed, anger, resentment, fear and contempt. The other wolf embodies that which is good—kindness, generosity, hope, compassion and optimism. The grandchild asks with trepidation, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The sage replies: “The one that you feed.”

In a recent conversation, one of us (JG) was discussing with an experienced wealth manager methods for preparing younger generations to handle wealth responsibly. The financial advisor shook his head over how often he had seen affluent children turn out badly. He admitted h...

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About the Authors

Jim Grubman

Dr. Jim Grubman is a consultant to multigenerational families and their advisors about the many issues that arise around wealth in families. He has worked as a psychologist for over thirty-five years in both healthcare and the financial service worlds, giving him broad experience in helping families face a variety of natural problems. He consults to families about family communication, raising children with affluence, succession, and estate planning, among other issues. His recent book, Strangers in Paradise: How Families Adapt to Wealth Across Generations (Amazon, 2013), has been very well-received by advisors and families alike. He has been published widely and quoted extensively by CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and many other journals and publications.  He holds the Family Business Advising Certificate from the Family Firm Institute and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Boston Estate Planning Council. Email: [email protected] Website: www.jamesgrubman.com

Dr. Dennis T. Jaffe

Dr. Dennis T. Jaffe, a San Francisco-based advisor to families about family business, governance, wealth and philanthropy, recently completed the working papers "Releasing the Potential of the Rising Generation, and Good Fortune: Building a Hundred Year Family Enterprise," published by Wise Counsel Research, based on his current research with global multi-generational family enterprises.

He is author or co-author of "Cross Cultures: How Global Families Negotiate Change Across Generations"; "Stewardship in your Family Enterprise: Developing Responsible Family Leadership Across Generations," and "Working With the Ones You Love," as well as management books "Rekindling Commitment", "Getting Your Organization to Change and Take this Work and Love It," and more than a hundred management and psychology articles. In 2005 he received the Beckhard Award for service to the field from the Family Firm Institute. He has a B.A. degree in Philosophy, M.A. in Management, and Ph.D. in sociology, all from Yale University, is a licensed psychologist, and is professor emeritus of organizational systems and psychology at Saybrook University in San Francisco.

Kristin Keffeler

Consultant and certified professional coach

Kristin Keffeler, based in Denver, is a consultant and certified professional coach working with enterprising families, families of wealth and rising generation family members.