What’s the next thing you can give your family? Love. Period, end of story.
We seem to be at a moment in time where we are full of discord and discontent. We lack patience and understanding for the other person’s perspective.
The family business has always been a breeding ground for hurt feelings, misaligned priorities or unclear expectations. Now, in the current social environment, it might be more important than ever to see if we can build stronger communities. That could start with stronger families.
Show Your Family Love
Love could help. Love your family members even if, at times, you don’t necessarily like them. You may not agree with their political views or how they live their lives.
Love them anyways. Tell them you love them. Show them you love them by genuinely listening to them. Give them a hug. Look them in the eye when you do it.
The holiday season usually provides us opportunities to show and express love.
Showing and expressing love can build on an emotional bank account. You might need this when you calmly and rationally discuss your differences of opinions and perspectives in the business or the family.
Uncle Tim and I had some different views on how to run our family business. It was a source of conflict in our business relationship. Yet, at every family gathering, we could and would express a genuine love for one another.
Business is business. Family should be about love. Our genuine love for each other was like the glue or the container that enabled us to passionately debate our points of view. That love, along with a mix of other professionals and decision makers in the company, help us work with our differences. It also helps us find compromise and solutions for the company.
Without some attention (and intention) to foster love, it can be easy to fall into the energy of anger and hatred which can lead to disintegration.
Give love to everyone in the family this holiday season. Express it. Show it. Cultivate a warm heart!
Play to your potential!
Coach Pete
Pete Walsh offers family business consulting services, workshops, tools and resources as the founder of the Family Business Performance Center. Subscribe to his newsletter or get in touch to get actionable insights to help your family business grow for generations to come.
