HOW WILL YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR BUSINESS SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN A WORLD OF CONSTANT THREATS AND CHANGE?

 

In 2006, Barbara Walters interviewed Angelina Jolie.

 

At the time, Angelina was the most sought-after and highest paid actress in Hollywood. She was considered by many to be the sexiest woman on the planet; and happened to be dating the most handsome man in the world. Her humanitarian efforts led her to be named a U.N. ambassador. “Power, fame, fortune, beauty, and Brad Pitt—what more could a woman want?” asked Barbara.

 

That prompted her to ask Angelina, “When you wake up in

the morning, what surprises you?”

 

Pausing for a moment, Angelina then said, “I am very grateful for all that I have and have accomplished. But, when I wake up in the morning, I’m not happy!”

 

History is littered with similar experiences to Angelina's, particularly when it comes to various forms of disillusionment, challenges, and missed opportunities around wealth, relationships, and a family business. 

 

From Solomon to the Vanderbilts and Gettys to today's moguls—and even the mom-and-pop businesses that are the subject of so many reality shows—many are unable to enjoy or sustain their success.

 

Failing to learn how to leverage one's wealth and success to enhance relationships, fulfill destinies, experience well-being, and to leave a legacy all too often leads to some form of tragic personal, family, and business outcomes.

 

Books like “The Dark Side of Wealth” and “The Golden Ghetto” chronicle the weight and responsibilities of wealth, along with how it adds to the challenges of developing and maintaining loving, lasting personal and business relationships.

 

Happiness, love, joy, fulfillment, peace, success, accomplishment, purpose are what everyone wants from life (and, are all possible). The question is, "Why are these aspects of well-being so elusive, particularly for those considered successful and wealthy?" 

 

While admittedly a deep, complex question, Da Vinci has found through its work specific conditions that interfere with developing, maintaining and perpetuating success and wealth. We call them the "Ten Destructive Forces Challenging Families of Affluence." 

 

COPING WITH AND MANAGING CHANGE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT

 

“Change has never happened this fast before...and, it will never be this SLOW again.” - Graeme Wood

 

Complexity abounds everywhere! Life and Business decisions are required to be made lightning-fast and carry with them much greater consequences as ever before. Half of what students learn in college is obsolete by the time they graduate. Disruption is everywhere in business. Companies that are not re-inventing themselves often become irrelevant almost overnight.

 

“It is not the strongest of the species that

survives, nor the most intelligent that

survives. It is the one that is most adapt-

able to change.”

- former LSU Professor, Leon Megginson