What It Takes to Build a Strong Family: 3 Keys

The idea of building a strong family can sound like a cliche, but as you undertake the journey to a lasting legacy, this is where your foundation begins. The even better news is that it is not about creating the perfect family. Strength often means we have gone through brokenness. If you’re ready to start building, let’s talk about 3 key areas to focus on.

1. Build Strong Families through Intentional Communication

When you look at stories of families who have built businesses that have stayed in the family and lasted for generations, one thing that tends to define them is that the families have had intentional communication about what matters. Here’s insights into what good communication looks like for a lasting family:

• Don’t leave things to assumption. You have to articulate clearly, repeat, and ensure understanding.
• Strong families keep the lines of communication open. They keep talking, rather than letting things get swept under the rug. Communication seeks resolution.
• There is intentionality and specific ways to share what matters. If you want to share your values, as an example, choose a way to make it memorable or to continue to repeat it.

2. Build a Strong Family with a Vision to Work Towards

Many companies or nonprofits have a vision statement, so why shouldn’t your family? A vision is one of the easiest tools to infuse life into your family again– you are giving your family a purpose, adventure, something to achieve that’s bigger than themselves. Let’s get your family dreaming again! Here are a few keys of what a good vision should do:

• Use a vision statement to bring unity. It needs to be something your entire family can get behind.
• Use a vision statement to create focus. In a society where distraction reigns supreme, vision will help you keep clearer goals in mind.
• Use a vision statement to initiate conversations that matter. As you clarify vision as a family, it’ll give you insight into what matters for your family and why.

3. Build a Strong Family Through Interdependence

This last area of emphasis for building a strong family tends to be forgotten. There is often so much focus on raising your children to independence that we forget to also teach them how to stay connected, to be interdependent. It’s the idea that you need to give your family roots and wings. Strong families still need one another and lift each other up. Here are ideas to consider:

• Create rhythms for how you will refresh and encourage one another. Family should be a safe space to go to for support.
• Create traditions that bring you back together. Families need a consistent way to return and have space to reconnect. It could be a vacation together to a simple thing like a time you get together and pray.
• Spend time as a family to evaluate where you can continue to grow. Your culture as a family is a dynamic thing and you need to invest in establishing who your family is.

Strong Families for Generations to Come

As your family goes through new seasons, you will continue to add to these building blocks of communication, vision, and interdependence. It’s about creating a path forward that will shape your family today and for generations ahead. You’re leaving a legacy of far greater value than just monetary wealth when your family is equipped with values and ways to draw together.

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If you want to continue to grow in these areas, make sure to sign up for “The Multi-Generational”, our email resource, where you can receive regular training and free tools for your family’s growth.