The Quest for Legitimacy: How Children of Prominent Families Discover Their Unique Place in the World - Hardcover

by Jamie Weiner (Author)

Discover how the children of prominent families pursue their own path while contributing to their family's legacy

In The Quest for Legitimacy: How Children of Prominent Families Discover Their Unique Place in the World, accomplished family and private wealth consultant Dr. James Weiner delivers a unique and eye-opening discussion of the Rising Generation's quest for self-determination in the shadow of a larger-than-life family. The author relies on qualitative research conducted on wealthy families to explore topics like:

• Rites of passage in prominent families and what liberation for young family members actually looks and feels like
• Separating from and returning to your family while finding people to trust on your journey
• How to deal with the long shadows cast by wealthy family members

Perfect for members of wealthy and accomplished families, as well as the people who advise them, The Quest for Legitimacy is an essential read for anyone navigating the complex dynamics of accomplished families.

Front Jacket

Children of prominent families face a unique and expansive set of challenges that are frequently overlooked by those who see only the benefits of growing up in high-powered families. These young people often find it difficult to step outside the shadow of successful parents and elders and run into obstacles when trying to make their own way in the world.

In The Quest for Legitimacy: How Children of Prominent Families Discover Their Unique Place in the World, distinguished professional Dr. Jamie Weiner delivers a practical and incisive guide to helping the children of prominent and wealthy families--and the parents who raise them--find purpose and meaning. Ideally suited for those people who wish to continue their family's legacy and those who yearn to strike out on their own, this book provides a path that leads people to independence and self-determination.

The author relies on robust qualitative research conducted with the children of prominent and wealthy families that sheds light on their attempts to figure out their sense of self while honoring what came before. It captures their internal struggle for identity through the four phases of the quest: awareness, tug-of-war, exploration, and taking ownership of one's life.

This book also offers expert guidance on how to select trustworthy mentors who can help wealthy family members negotiate the treacherous terrain of the outside world without sealing themselves off from it.

An indispensable companion for children of prominent families, as well as their parents, caregivers, and mentors. The Quest for Legitimacy is a must-read for anyone who navigates the complex dynamics of accomplished families, as well as the consultants, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals who support them.

Back Jacket

PRAISE FOR THE QUEST FOR LEGITIMACY

"Jamie Weiner has artfully captured the life experience, challenges, and opportunities of individuals raised by high-powered parents. Combining his voice with those of his research subjects, he writes movingly yet perceptively of their unique journey. If you've grown up in the land of giants, you will find The Quest for Legitimacy speaking to you--and for you.

--James Grubman, PhD., Family wealth consultant and author of Strangers in Paradise: How Families Adapt to Wealth Across Generations

"This book contains pathbreaking insights to help inheritors and children of enterprising families feel comfortable in their own skin. That's a big deal, not only for them, but for a world that needs them to step up, engage, and contribute."

--Scott Peppet, President, Chai Trust Company

"Dr. Jamie Weiner has delivered a must-read book for global family businesses and those that live in perceived or real shadows of previous generations. A respectful and insightful narrative that will educate and inspire for generations to come. It will become a book that needs to be on the bookshelf of all family enterprises."

--Lea Boyce, Director, Boyce Family Office

"Weiner is a storyteller in the best sense. His stories of the coming of age of real people, mixed with his musings and lessons on wealth, personal development and how being a child of success cannot be a rabbit hole of pain or entitlement, but a path for meaningful growth. Something to share with young people from business families as a beacon of inspiration, hope and positive potential."

--Dennis Jaffe, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow, BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors

"The Quest for Legitimacy captures the extremely personal, and too often difficult journeys that families and rising generation members are forced to take when dealing with issues associated with wealth, succession, and business. For rising gen members, this book will at once make you realize that the often-isolating experience of growing up in the land of giants is not as unique as you may think it is, give you the tools to better navigate this journey, and empower you with the knowledge that you are not alone on the quest."

--Rishi Behari, Professional Coach, Consultant, Teacher, Facilitator & Speaker, 2nd Generation Family Member

"...a unique and authentic look into the profound journey of the rising generation, supported with rigorous research and fascinating stories. Jamie's work not only provides connection for those inheritors whose high stakes roles are painfully isolating but also proposes a clear path forward for their quests..."

--Veronica Yepez Reyna, NextGen Whisperer and Managing Partner of Perpetum Family Office

Author Biography

JAMIE WEINER, Psy.D., is co-founder of Inheriting Wisdom, a firm that works with prominent families on the problems that exist below the surface. He is co-author of The Legacy Conversation and has been profiled in Private Wealth magazine. He is a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute.