Generational Wisdom

This post explores how professionalism and mediocrity have evolved in today's cultural and business landscapes, and highlights actionable insights on how we can and must pursue a culture of excellence in the workplace.

This blog post explores how to be a good citizen, worker, and family member. It provides practical strategies for growing in respect for self and for others, for fostering desire, healthy communication, and lifelong learning to enhance personal and professional relationships.

Mentoring and community involvement are pivotal elements that contribute significantly to personal growth and the development of resilient communities. These activities not only provide support to individuals in need but also foster a sense of connection and purpose among those who volunteer.

I want to dive deeper into a theme we explored in our last episode of Resilience Talk (episode 18): the generational conflict in how we perceive business operations and familial language in a professional setting. Many of you might recall our discussion about how younger generations often feel triggered by the older generational view of business as “family.” However, a recent blog post by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) from 37signals provides a fresh perspective.

Over many years of working with businesses and family enterprises, there’s been one topic that surfaces—implicitly or explicitly—again and again. And that is the difference in perspectives across generations. It’s a theme that’s both challenging and enriching for the workplace (and family!) dynamics. In episode 18 of the Resilience Talk podcast we explored some of these differences in perspective across the various generations, from boomers, to Gen X, to millennials, and to Gen Z.  I the post I want to highlight just a few of the major areas of discussion from the episode.

I recently had the chance to sit down for another episode of Resilience Talk, and we tackled a topic that’s been buzzing in the economy—the “Silver Wave.” This phenomenon is all about the massive group of baby boomers heading into retirement and the significant challenge many face: the absence of a succession plan for their businesses.

In this video, we explore the concept of family wisdom and how it can be traced across generations. We discuss the importance of family members and their roles within the family and the business. We also delve into the individual desires and aspirations of each family member, recognizing that not everyone may fit into the business. We highlight the significance of supporting each member's personal endeavors while instilling a sense of collective family wisdom. Throughout the video, we examine examples of how family wisdom can be applied, such as leadership, decision-making, stewardship, relationship-building, and more.

In this video, we discuss the concept of generational longevity and how it applies not only to businesses but also to families. We explore the importance of wisdom and the difference between knowledge and wisdom. The video highlights the opportunity to pass on generational wisdom and the benefits it brings to future generations. No specific action is requested from the viewers, but it serves as a thought-provoking discussion on the topic.