Generativity • The ability to generate anything tangible that will exist beyond one’s earthly life; particularly when exhibiting a need to nurture and guide younger people and contribute to the next generation.

1. UNDERSTANDING
GENERATIVITY
By: Don West, Jr.
Empowering Our Connected Generations
&
Developing Legacies That Last
WHAT IS YOUR LEGACY?TM
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute
Revised & Updated 2018 Edition
www.Legacy-Institute.com

2. Introduction to the Concept of
Generativity
• What is it?
“The concern in establishing and
guiding the next generation.”
- Dr. Erik K. Erikson, (1950)
a famous psycho-analyst most recognized
for his work on “Identity Crisis”

3. Introduction to the Concept of
Generativity
Two Modern Day Views
“A desire to invest one’s substance in forms
of life and work that will outlive the self.”
- Dr. John Kotre, Ph.D.
Psychology Professor, Univ. of Michigan in Dearborn
“The ability to generate anything tangible that
will exist beyond one’s earthly life; particularly
when exhibiting a need to nurture and guide
younger people and contribute to the next
generation.”
- Don West, Jr., J.D.
Chartered Legacy & Trusts Planner

4. Understanding the Concept of
Generativity
• How does it manifest?
Generativity can be observed in five primary
categories:
1) Biological - the act of making a child;
2) Parental - the act of raising a child;
3) Technical - the creation of tangible works that will maintain an
existence beyond your life, (i.e., paintings, writings, or a business
organization);
4) Cultural – the creation of a meaning, belief or value system that is
passed on to others; and,
5) Societal - the ability to create societal change and/or reform, (i.e.,

5. Understanding the Concept of
Biological Generativity
the act of making a child
which constitutes the actual creation of a new human
life through the passing on of living substances, (e.g.,
genes, blood and a mother’s milk).
Note: There is a difference between giving birth
to a child and actually raising the same child, one
does not pre-determine or necessarily correlate to
the other.
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

6. Understanding the Concept of
Parental Generativity
the act of raising a child
which refers to acts that constitute actually raising of
children and the launch into learning and participating
in a family's way of life.
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

7. Understanding the Concept of
Technical Generativity
the creation of tangible works that will maintain an
existence beyond your life, (i.e., paintings, writings,
or a business organization).
which describes actual creations and/or the teaching
of skills and procedures--how to run a business or
organization, how to read or compose music, how to
write, how to handle money, how to repair a car, how
to build a building, how to program a computer, etc.
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

8. Understanding the Concept of
Cultural Generativity
the creation of a meaning, belief or value system
that is passed on to others.
which refers to creating, conserving, or redefining a
belief, meaning or value system that is passed on to
others. In the cultural category, a person teaches not
only how to do things, (technical generativity), but also
why they are done, what beliefs inform them, what
values sustain them, what theories lies justify them,
what they "stand for," what constitutes the system’s
"soul" or "spirit".
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

9. Understanding the Concept of
Societal
Generativity
the ability to create societal change and/or reform,
(i.e., Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., et. al.)
which refers to a special ability and the requisite
influence to create mass change on a community
and/or societal level, often associated with influencing
and guiding individuals who are not directly known or
lie outside of the immediate reach of the originator.
“Every person has the same amount of influence,
the only difference is the size of their stage.”
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

10. Understanding the Concept of
Generativity
When does it occur?
According to Erickson’s Eight-Stage Theory
of Human Development, generativity typically
began to take place during middle age as
people developed higher levels of maturity
and concern for the next generation.
Today, generativity can take place in almost
any adult who has an awareness and
concern for guiding future generations.
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

11. Understanding the Concept of
Generativity
Some Key Elements
• It must be tangible.
• It must guide, contribute to or impact the
next generation.
• It must have the potential to last beyond
your lifetime.
• It must be released by it’s creator.
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

12. Applying the Concept of
Generativity
Living in a Generative Way
Dr. John Kotre proposes eight steps
toward living a generative life, they are
(1) talking to your past;
(2) stopping the damage;
(3) finding a voice of your own;
(4) blending your voice with another's;
(5) creating;
(6) selecting;
(7) letting go; and,
(8) responding to outcome.
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute
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The key to overcoming the
Obstacles that get in the way
of finding fulfillment in adulthood
is to shape a legacy that will last
beyond our lifetimes.
Kotre clearly outlines a step-by-step
pathway we will move along to a more
complete and fulfilling life. By listening
to the past, finding a voice, and
selecting an audience, we will be able
to create and grow.

13. Planning a Legacy of
Generativity
Proactively Planning a
Generative Legacy
Once a person becomes aware and committed to the generative
way, they often see the value of proactively planning just how
their generational impact will unfold. This can take a number of
forms, but may include:
1) Implementing a Strategic Legacy/Life Plan
2) Drafting a Will or Implementing a Comprehensive Estate Plan
3) Identifying a Definitive Chief Aim
4) Developing a Personal Mission Statement
5) Composing a Personal Legacy Statement
6) Developing a Family Mission Statement
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute

14. About Don West, Jr.
Don serves as a Legacy Coach & Performance Consultant
advising businesses, organizations and individuals on how to
increase their performance and deliver higher value to their
lives, families and bottomlines.
To begin to forge a lasting multi-generational legacy
contact Don today and learn more about building ‘Healthy &
Sustained Family Prosperity.’
Copyright © 2009-2018 – The Legacy Institute
Email: don@Legacy-Insitute.com
www.Legacy-Institute.com