Blackwell notes that this is rarely a frictionless process. ‘One must remember that families are a social contract. You give up some personal freedoms to be part of a group. There are two levels of values and purpose; your individual ones and those of the greater family. Making sure to build governance that allows for both creates an environment where people want to stay connected to the greater family unit.’
McNab, meanwhile, makes the case for values as ballast in turbulent waters. ‘Purpose offers protection. We have seen time again that, in the absence of grounding values, wealth can amplify uncertainty. Aligning decisions with personal values becomes stabilising as well as fulfilling.’
After the peak
Stratospheric success can be a double-edged sword. For those who feel they’ve already scaled the summit, the view can be strangely flat. How can one rediscover momentum?
Crome suggests going back to basics. ‘For most people, giving is a very personal endeavour. A cause may be close to your heart because of something you’ve been through, or something a loved one has experienced. Research the organisations that are working in the space and spend time really listening to the experts to find out what they need to achieve their goals.’
Blackwell is brisk on the importance of honest stocktaking. ‘The governance and strategy should always be nimble. Make sure to design the governance with regular sense checks to keep family members connected and enthusiastic. The more that people feel they have a voice in the process the more it feels like theirs.’ She also urges families not to shield their children from these conversations: ‘In order for the rising generations to feel connected and purposeful about wealth being a tool for good, they need to learn along with everyone else. It can really bring generations together.’
For McNab, the best advice is sometimes the simplest. ‘Pause, and take a moment for yourself. When the usual markers of achievement have been satisfied, it’s often because personal meaning has been sidelined. Examine what might have been sacrificed to get here, and what you might now be able to do to offer some reconnection with yourself and your family.’
The spectrum of impact
Not every act of giving needs to be headline-making. ‘Don’t think that there is a magic number that you need to give to have an effect,’ says Crome. ‘I’ve seen donations that are in four or five figures have a huge impact because charities are generally very good at making money go a long way.’
Blackwell agrees that impact is not always philanthropic in the traditional sense. ‘Some challenges are best met with social lending or impact investment. Recognising that there is a broad spectrum of investment opportunities means that families can build an impact portfolio that is meaningful across generations but tied to a shared legacy strategy.’
And McNab reminds us that fulfilment can also be found in places untouched by spreadsheets. ‘Whether it’s through therapy, reconnecting with personal values, or simply carving out time to be still and present, this kind of self-exploration can help us find a sense of purpose that goes far beyond professional success.’
As Crome concludes, ‘A lot of people say it’s harder to give your money away well than it is to make the money in the first place.’ Yet in that challenge lies the opportunity for meaning. Because beyond the fortune, the greatest return is found not in possession but in purpose.
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