We often talk about multigenerational legacy and multigenerational wealth, but beneath it, you need a multigenerational family team. Not just in name, but a strong team deeply committed to flourishing for generations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCWRk1N_Bdw

Jeremy Pryor, Partner and Co-Founder of Family Teams, is helping families build a multigenerational team on a mission. They help parents think of families as a team, and coach the team to work together toward a common mission. They also give practical guidance for developing family rhythms, training, traditions, business, and home life.

If you’re looking for practical tools to strengthen your family, work together in business, and flourish for generations… tune in now!

Table of contentsJeremy's Introduction to Multigenerational Family TeamsIndividualism is the Default TodayIndividualism vs. the Multigenerational Family TeamCreating a Balanced Multigenerational Family TeamThe Hundred-Year HorizonThe “Intangible” Family UnitAre There Dysfunctional Family Teams?About Jeremy PryorBook A Strategy Call

Jeremy's Introduction to Multigenerational Family Teams

Jeremy grew up in Seattle, and he describes it as a place that had very few flourishing families. It wasn’t until Jeremy studied abroad in Jerusalem that he became immersed in a culture that valued family foremost. Fatherhood, particularly, was a critical piece of the family culture in Jerusalem. To the people he met, the family was about legacy, and people viewed their family as a team or unit. It was at this point that Jeremy’s interest in creating his own multigenerational family sprouted.

What he found in his research was that multigenerational family teams or structures tended to occur when people were in survival mode. During periods of war, recession, or other hardship, families would rely more closely on each other. This helped to ensure the well being of everyone. Yet as things adapt to become "safe" again, the world becomes more individualistic.

The problem is that when people are individualistic, they lack stability, and can ultimately become isolated. Not only does this mean people are spending their final years alone, but there is little to no sense of generational security. Creating a family culture that centers around the whole unit's ability to thrive fosters connection, confidence, and security.

Individualism is the Default Today

[11:58] “You actually have to ask people to make a choice, and it is a choice. Like you could just raise… your kids to be a group of individuals, and to reset every generation, and to have that 80-year memory that the typical western family has. Or, you could choose to be a multi-generational team and take on some things together, and have that long legacy memory. But you get to choose.”

[12:24] “In our culture, the vast majority of people… will choose to live out that individual life… because that’s the default, unfortunately. And that’s the reason why they’re doing it. That’s the reason why more and more people are living and dying alone. Because we don’t realize that we’re making a thousand small decisions to isolate ourselves from other relationships.”

Individualism vs. the Multigenerational Family Team

Because of an assumed sense of stability, as Jeremy shares, the multigenerational family team has all but disappeared in the US. People now rely on their own devices, rather than working with their families to create wealth and support each other. After all, in times of survival, it makes sense for families to rely more closely on each other. And when the nation prospers and life is good, people tend to branch out and forget the power of a family who works as a team. 

[15:23] “You will, if you go on default, build an individualistic family; a springboard for individual success. That’s okay, you can do that…[but] there is another option. You can instead build a multigenerational family.”