The article Engaging the Rising Gen explores how wealthy families and family offices can effectively engage and prepare the next generation of family leaders. Based on interviews with 55 families, including future family leaders aged 25–40 and family office executives, the research highlights that long-term family continuity depends heavily on strong relationships, open communication, and early involvement of the rising generation.
The rising generation expressed a strong desire for practical and actionable education that they can apply directly in their lives. Topics of interest include financial literacy, governance, leadership, trustee and beneficiary training, entrepreneurship, communication and conflict management, and succession planning. They also want greater transparency from the senior generation regarding the family’s vision, succession plans, and opportunities for involvement.
The article emphasizes the importance of starting education early and introducing age-appropriate conversations about wealth, values, and responsibility. Families that allow younger members to learn through real experiences, including attending family meetings, participating in philanthropy, serving on boards or committees, interning in family businesses, and managing practical projects, help build confidence, competence, and a healthy sense of ownership over family wealth.
Another major theme is communication. The rising generation prefers communication that is accessible, concise, and interactive, such as text messaging, group chats, podcasts, short videos, virtual meetings, and one-on-one conversations. The best learning experiences are collaborative, personalized, engaging, and connected to real-life situations, while the least effective experiences are highly technical presentations filled with jargon and formal lectures.
The article also highlights the importance of making family learning enjoyable and relationship-centered. Free time, social activities, and shared experiences during family gatherings are viewed as essential for strengthening trust and collaboration across generations. Additionally, the research encourages families to include spouses and partners thoughtfully and to create welcoming onboarding experiences for them.
In conclusion, the report argues that one of the best investments a family can make is dedicating time, resources, and budget toward learning opportunities that foster competence, independence, and connection within the family. Preparing the rising generation is ongoing work that requires patience, flexibility, and collaboration, but it is essential for sustaining both family unity and long-term stewardship of wealth.
by Jane Flanagan
Key Learnings:
- Allocating funds for family meetings and training opportunities that foster
competence, connection and independence is one of the best investments in
the family’s future that you can make. The health of the family’s relationships and
connections between branches and across generations is the ultimate predictor
of continuity. - Future family leaders (ages 25 – 40) want practical, actionable training that they
can put to use in their lives, along with transparency about the senior generation’s
succession plans and vision for the future. - Start early. Exposing the rising gen to the information and skills they need to feel
ownership of their wealth (not owned by it) and allowing them to learn by doing
and, at times, failing builds competency and confidence. - Honor the rising gen’s varied communication preferences. Create group chats
and share 2-minute videos and podcasts on subjects that matter to them.
Invite their input on meeting agendas and offer a mix of 1:1, virtual and rising
gen-only gatherings. - This is hard work, but you’re not alone. Leverage your trusted advisors and the
terrific resources that your peers have shared in the Appendix on p. 13.
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