Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shawn Mason. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Shawn, thanks for joining us today. Over the course of your career, have you seen or experienced your field completely flip-flop or change course on something?

First, thank you so much for having me in this interview. I really appreciate the work you’ve done. Highlighting the work that others are doing in unique work spaces. It’s really great. I mean to help provide some visibility in this way.

And thank you to the readers. I think you’re going to look at your family and or family business in a different way after this.

Let’s get back to your question though. The shift. You know, we are actually in one of those shifts right now. You know they occur, like you mentioned, in most every field.

But, for this one it’s in this larger world of what’s called wealth advising. Now for a lot of people that means things like trusts, estates, and, you know, the financial stuff. But, that’s missing a really big part of the picture, you know. The people. Like the families, the relationship, and yes how they get along, what kind of lives they lead. Now, when say that I mean more like their well-being, or like quality of life, or you could even call it happiness.

That’s important right?

And, well, that’s where my work comes in. It’s not clinical therapy even though I have a background in psychology. It’s really not even really like leadership, performance, or executive coaching, but, well it can have some elements of those. Well, as much as needed. That’s probably the right way to put it…

That’s part of the reason it’s so unique….this kind of work, um, has really been more known in the extremely high net worth type families. They tend to have pretty complex lives and a, frankly, a lot to manage. So, it makes sense and helps to have someone to consult with that helps in that way.

Within this shift we said is another one. Services like these are now being made available to families at more levels of economic status. In all fairness, it’s still very expensive, but it opens up services and resources that were never on the radar before. Honestly, most people just don’t know to look for it.

Some clients were shocked to find my website and said, “I never knew something like this existed.” So, as a field, we have an awareness issue.

Hold one, before I go too much more into that let’s get back to your question. At least in a more specific way. There’s a recent shift here. I think it’s a really good one too. You know, I touched in the idea a minute ago. But to be a little more clear. Ok, so the way that wealth has been thought of from, like, the wealth advising world, has been mostly focused on the financial, technical, and similar sides. And that makes sense, for sure.

Now, there’s been a growing focus on the family for years now really. However, the framework people were working under was that financial wealth had to be protected.

That’s because there was this old adage. And it basically says that you can make a lot of money the future generations are going to lose it. And that created a lot of, well,  fear based approaches and not just financially.

This affected the family pretty deeply, right?

I mean think about what means for a minute. Like, for the parents (or grandparents, or similar) that creates a viewpoint. And what that means is basically you have to protect your money from your kids. And your kids from your money. It’s a long story. Let’s just say it creates issues.

So, the change, the change now is that more advisors and families are coming around to the idea that a more positive approach can be used. It means they can take on a more positive growth, forward thinking view from the how the family grows. Not only within the current kids and generation, but also for, you know, the next and the next. There’s a great book on it called Wealth 3.0. The authors are pretty senior in the field and show how this is the next big shift they see.

For me, my own professional paths, which I know we’ll address later, does have, well, it shows its own shift. I started out in research and psychological trauma. And then slowly made my way though more positive approaches like resilience, performance, business, and then eventually into what I’m doing now.

You know, when I reflect on my own experience and my own age and stage, I think about it more from a generational standpoint. I mean it like this, in the Gen X and Millennials there’s been a dramatic shift in what people what out life, how they want live, how they want to be with their families, and I think it all comes together.

Families usually try to make thing better and have better relationships, right…

Shawn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sure, sounds good.

Well, about me. I’m a guy who had a modest start in life. And then life kept changing. I did the thing. Tried hard. Tried to follow what inspired me the most. Worked hard. Had some good fortune. Started making what I saw as more serious money. Figured I better know what that means. Turned it into a career. Then, here I am. And, I’m a family man. It all came together.

The work though. Well, there are some pretty important themes in the work. A lot has to do with dealing with life transitions. You know, like the issues we all face with changes in our income, life, marriages, deaths, births, you get the idea. The other part is about adapting to changes, which is really key.

I like the quote from Darwin where he says something like, “It is not the strongest or smartest that survive. It’s the ones who adapt”. I’m sure he said it better.

One of the reasons that I connect with the work so much is because I’ve used adaptation heavily in my own life. I order to grow, advance, make changes, and deal with setbacks, it’s huge. These life transitions as I called them are going to happen to all of us. Sometimes we choose. Sometimes we don’t.

About Me and My Journey:

What can I say, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in life and the successes that came with them. The level of gratitude I have now results from my own life experiences. It was shaped by having achieved goals and finding myself still lacking some level of enjoyment for it.

It wasn’t until I started learning more about the fields of high performance and wealth psychology that I came to understand better the relationship between success and fulfillment.

This was even more clear when it came to running our own family business. New ways of doing things. New issues to manage. All that. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s more stuff. A bit more complex. One of the big issues is knowing where the family and the business overlap and where they don’t, and shouldn’t.

As far as my “journey” you already know my psychology background. But, it wasn’t really exciting until I started to work in other settings. Now, I started out in Academic Medicine, which is not totally distant, but it was a start into more. Then, I went into a military setting working with active duty soldiers. Then into corporate. They were great roles. I got to collaborate with some of the best in the world in their given fields. You really learn a lot.

My Services:

Most of my clients would consider themselves successful but might not gravitate to the idea of wealthy. Today, I operate a consulting service dedicated to crafting personalized life strategy solutions. These are tailored to individuals and families undergoing significant transitions, whether personal, professional, or both and tied to types of adjustment to success/wealth related issues in life. You know, like they had a liquidity event. Maybe sold a business, maybe planning to sell, and work out how the family navigates.

And then couples. Often times it’s a couple who’s navigating shifts in “economic identity”, parenting, and careers on one side. They on the other hand they have their own parents. They might have health issues, estate matters to handle, and the family dynamics that come with that.

The process is like being a facilitator for discussions and provide relevant education on topics that might not be familiar, maybe point them to resources they can access. In the big picture is to help sort out people-related issues that are complex, but not clinical. And, usually those what come with success or wealth.

Our first conversation is really complimentary. It’s where we get a chance to see if we are the right fit for each other. If not, I might be able to point them in a helpful direction. If so, great.

Solving Client Problems:

Trying to plan for a get through as well as possible the transitions. The core of our work revolves around addressing the complexities that accompany success. Whether it’s navigating identity shifts following newfound wealth, enhancing family dynamics amidst career transitions, or crafting a sustainable work-life balance, our solutions are designed to guide clients through these intricacies with grace and efficacy. For some, it could even be questions like, “how do I talk to my parents about their estate plans.”

What Sets Us Apart:

What distinguishes our approach is the seamless blend of academic insights with real-world applicability. Our strategies are grounded in scientific approach yet are deeply personalized to meet the unique needs of each client. This balance of science and empathy, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of the nuances of success, sets us apart.

Pride and Accomplishments:

I’ve had some great times. Conducted and published research. Taught, mentored, educated. Got some awards. All that has been great. But what really brings all that together for me is when I work directly with people. I would not want to do one of these without the other, but it really all comes together when I see it in people’s lives. There’s a special moment in there when you can see everything shift and know that it’s all coming together.

For Our Potential Clients:

As far as our clients go, typically bright, successful people in unfamiliar territory aiming to navigate relevant matters in an efficient manner. The main benefits are being able to save time and effort navigating unique issues, reduce problematic complications due to disagreements or misalignments, and have an objective party to provide support and perspective. The idea is to help get people with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary to navigate life’s transitions effectively.

What does success mean to you?

It’s a perfect topic because it’s exactly at the center. I think there’s a sweet spot where relationships, wealth, and well-being overlap that feels a lot like true success. I know there are lots of definitions out there. So, success is not a one-size-fits-all concept.

It’s in there from our deep aspirations, hard-won achievements, and the lessons learned along the way. In exploring what it truly means to be successful, there are two critical dimensions: accomplishment and fulfillment.

At its core, success is about reaching the milestones we set for ourselves, whether it’s launching a thriving business, making a tangible impact in our communities, or achieving personal goals that hold deep significance. These achievements require a blend of grit, creativity, dedication, and ingenuity—qualities that propel us toward realizing our visions and dreams.

However, accomplishment is only one side of the success coin. I appreciate the view that the true essence of success lies not just in achieving our goals but in how we navigate the complexities that come with these victories.

With every level of success comes a new set of challenges and responsibilities that we may not have anticipated. Transitioning from one stage of success to another often means entering uncharted territory, requiring us to adapt to new roles and responsibilities that are markedly different from what we were used to. For instance, ascending to a high-income lifestyle as an entrepreneur, corporate professional, or physician may bring gratification, but it also introduces a different work dynamic, including increased responsibilities and implications for individual identity, relationships, parenting, and more. Adapting to these changes is crucial for moving forward.

One of the most profound realizations that come with success is the importance of gratitude and presence. True success involves not only achieving our goals but also taking the time to appreciate the journey. It’s about engaging in the moments along the way, learning from the obstacles, and feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the experiences that have shaped us.

Reflecting on our path to success allows us to understand the lessons behind our experiences, providing insights into our personal growth and how we’ve transformed along the way. It’s through this reflection that we gain clarity on our life’s purpose and how we can continue to evolve and thrive in the face of new challenges.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Success is about creating a life where achievements and personal fulfillment coexist harmoniously. It’s about setting new goals while finding joy and contentment in the present moment. This balanced approach to success ensures that we not only reach new heights in our careers and personal lives but also enjoy the experience of the journey.

Success is a big concept that encompasses both achievement and the ability to navigate and enjoy the journey. It’s about setting ambitious goals, embracing the complexities that come with achieving them, and finding fulfillment in all of it.

One if the big steps to reaching success is planning for it. Really, it helps. So, when families plan for it in the truest meaning of what success is for them, it creates more of a team in the effort. Creating a family plan is one critical step that can help improve one’s experience of success. It can also be used to help inform a family’s professional advisors, whether that be for their estate, investments, or business.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I’ll keep this one short, because there is a lot. Aside from formal training and knowledge accumulation, I believe factors associated with success in this field include having very high E.Q. for interpersonal skills, being able to navigate complexity, and enough life experience for it to feel relevant.

This field is extraordinarily complex due to the intersections of the various relevant topics such as adaptation, relationships, identity, parenting, generational family dynamics and in the contexts of business, finance, and estate issues. The handling of such matters requires an authentic and genuine approach to be both clear and helpful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shawntmason.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawntmason-phd-lp-b40b676/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrShawnMason

Image Credits
Stephanie Kaslly