As I prepared for a leadership training lecture on historical cycles from Strauss and Howe’s The Fourth Turning, I found valuable insights on these cycles in Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens by DeMille and Brooks. According to this book, the traditional path of graduating from college and pursuing a stable career that served previous cycles well, may not be the path to success during our current cycle–what Strauss and Howe identify as the Fourth Turning or Crisis Cycle.
In this cycle, entrepreneurship, initiative, and leadership are paramount. Traditional job-specific skills are less likely to provide the same stability they have in previous cycles. Rather than going to college and getting trained in a specific skill, the ability to thrive during this cycle requires a different focus that includes innovations, entrepreneurship, creativity, and thinking outside the box. According to history, those who thrive in times of recession, slow-growth economies, or even wars and other crises are those who prioritize these skills.
According to Strauss and Howe’s generational theory, history unfolds in four cyclical turnings: High, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis. We are currently in a Crisis period where traditional norms and systems are being challenged, requiring new approaches and solutions. This is a pivotal time where entrepreneurship, community leadership, and resilience are more vital than ever.
While I have sought to implement a classical liberal arts education in my home, the skills needed to thrive during this cycle do not come naturally to me. Having all of my children graduate from college aligns with the way success was defined in my youth. Rather than prescribing what each child needs to know to be deemed “finished,” my mind has been expanded. This educational model places a strong emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving. Rather than teaching “what to think,” the goal is to teach students “how to think.” This enables students to be more adaptable, capable of acquiring new skills, and prepared to face an ever-changing landscape. Through the study of great books and Socratic dialogue, the goal is to have students who learn to identify truth, question assumptions, and cultivate independent thinking. I have sought to be a mentor rather than a teacher–one who guides students and helps them in their individual missions. I want my children and students to love learning, be curious, and pursue their passions.
While I still tend toward holding onto the ideas of success from my generation, thankfully, my husband is an apt example of how to succeed during this cycle of history. He is a successful entrepreneur who knows how to innovate and change with the changing times. He has taught my children these skills that seem to come more naturally to him. While my daughter has followed a more traditional path of finishing her Master’s degree, she lives her mission of supporting those who’ve experienced trauma and are often not seen or heard. My husband has jump-started my three boys in their successful entrepreneurial ventures. My oldest son and daughter-in-law run a thriving cleaning, maintenance, and photo service tailored for Airbnb properties. My middle son has embraced entrepreneurship by building an agritourism farm that promotes sustainable agriculture but also enriches the local community through tourism and educational experiences. Even my youngest son, currently still in our home, has embarked on his entrepreneurial path by running a lawn care and snow removal business. My husband encourages our children to take initiative, think creatively, and apply their knowledge to real-world problems, thereby developing solutions that drive progress and change. My hope is the development of these skills will serve them well during our current crisis cycle.
Navigating today’s Crisis Cycle requires a shift from traditional paths to success towards embracing entrepreneurship, initiative, personal mission, and leadership. Drawing insights from historical cycles, I’ve come to value a classical liberal arts approach that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability in our youth. As we guide the next generation, let us foster resilience, creativity, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to lifelong learning, equipping them to lead with courage and innovation in an ever-evolving world.
