I’m thankful to Paul Sullivan of the NY Times for taking interest in my work and interviewing me for his December 29th Wealth Matters column, “Keeping the Family Tree Alive.”
I’ve been fortunate in my career to have worked with a wide range of interesting families from very poor and even homeless, to extremely wealthy. One of my favorite questions for wealthy families struggling with a particular challenge is, “How would this be different if you were poor?” That question goes to the heart of big decisions by removing money from the equation for a moment, leaving only family relationships and fundamental life values to be considered.
Money is powerful and has the potential for both positive and negative effects on those who have it. I work with families that have accumulated significant wealth and who want the money/wealth to serve the family in healthy and productive ways.
In my experience, those families who put family first in their thinking tend to achieve long-term harmony and productive, motivated and satisfied family members.