From Shane in Arizona
Coach, we have a big diverse family and I’m not sure we’re ever going to be on the SAME page about our family business. What have you seen other families do to make this happen and will it happen?
Answer:
I was with a very successful family business patriarch this summer and he talked about the fact that their family was just completing their 17th annual family retreat. He talked about the process and about a series of years to create buy-in on a set of family values and vision for the business.
Most likely, your situation is not all that unique. In fact, the healthiest families have diverse skills and perspectives but find ways to take the best of all of those and iron out a strong and inclusive family environment.
Don’t get discouraged and get to work. Find others that have a long-term view and an open mind and begin to work on creating a family retreat, or some family forms to discuss the issues and find common ground that’s most helpful to a sustainable family business. Consider using a facilitator to help with that process sometimes that’s the only way to manage the big personalities and strong opinions in a family.
