Sometimes the right word for something doesn’t exist, so we need to make one up. Okay, we don’t actually need to, but it can be a useful exercise.
On sports radio last week, a commentator was talking about a certain hockey goaltender and how his calm performances had helped his team get their season off to a good start. Right after uttering the word “calm”, he moved on to the fact that the team was quite “confident” playing in front of him.
That was when the “word” calmfidence sort of hit me, and it also fit nicely with some of the personal work that I continue to do, trying to become and even better advisor to legacy families.
(When I Googled “calmfidence”, I learned that while it certainly is not very popular or well known yet, I am not the first one to use it. If you also decide to do this, please say hello to Juneous for me.)
Bowen Family Systems Theory
Let’s get back to the idea of calmness as a key ingredient to helping a family. I am now into my third year of studying Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST), and it has been eye opening to say the least.
I have already vowed to write a book on Bowen Theory as it applies to family business and wealth, because I have yet to find the book that I was hoping to find when I first took an interest in BFST.
That book is still in my plans, but it will be a couple of years away at best.
As any “amateur” Bowenite can tell you, there are eight concepts in BFST, and as some of those will surely note, being “calm” is not one of them.
So where do I think I am going to go with this? I am glad you asked.
Anxiety versus Calm
One of the over-riding issues that Bowen talked about throughout the eight concepts is anxiety.
When Bowen spoke of “Differentiation of Self”, which we might more simply call “emotional maturity” today, he regularly noted that those who are more differentiated (i.e. mature) can and do function well, even during times of anxiety.
Those with lower levels of differentiation or maturity will have their everyday functioning impaired during times of high anxiety.
Anyone who is part of a business family will certainly recognize that family discussions can be anxious times, and are often far from calm.
Bring an Outsider Inside
Advisors will preach to any family who will listen, that it is important to have an external person at the table to help them with these discussions, especially when important subjects like succession are on the agenda.
Most families prefer to keep things private, not wanting to air their laundry to an outsider, and also often assume that they alone are going through their particular difficult family situation.
They also recognize that an advisor who suggests bringing in an outsider is being self-serving, you know, like the barber who hints that your hair is getting a little long.
Bring in some Calm-Fidence
So here is where I want to bring things back to calmfidence.
When an outsider to your family enters the scene, there are two ways to quickly evaluate whether or not they will ultimately be useful to the family. You guessed it, they are “calm” and “confidence”.
This outside resource should bring a calm presence, no matter how much anxiety there is in the room, whether that anxiety is actually on the table, or hidden behind an elephant somewhere.
After a couple of meetings with the advisor/consultant, the family (or at least a significant portion of it) will begin to feel much more confident that they are on the right track.
But what if they are not calm, and the family does NOT feel more confident, you ask? Simple. Get someone else!
Too Important to Ignore
You’ve probably heard “the biggest investment most people make in their lives is buying a house.”
Families with a business, wealth, and a legacy to pass on are not “most people” though, and this is the biggest issue that they will ever face.
Inter-generation wealth transfer is not easy, and getting the whole family on board is the toughest part.
Find someone who gives you the CALMFIDENCE to get it done properly. Keep trying until you find them.