Not just the mom-and-pop shops of old, but many small businesses get proudly handed down from parent to child and beyond. Most family businesses like this have at least two generations still actively working in day-to-day operations. Sometimes that creates tensionโฆ and lots of it. But getting past family dysfunctions in the business can help them grow into a much stronger, healthier organization.
The Dysfunctional Family Leadership Team
As a Certified EOS Implementerยฎ, I work with many owners of family businesses. Usually, the entire leadership team is related in some way. Sometimes the original founder wonโt officially hand over the keys to the kingdom to their kin. You can tell they donโt trust the next generation to run the business like they would. And theyโre usually right, they wonโt run it like them. It can take a lot of convincing that different doesnโt always equal โwrong.โ They see it as a rejection of what theyโve built.
A few companies Iโve worked with have grown in spite of the family bickering. They keep growing, but not as much as they could grow. The in-fighting holds them back from becoming the best in their industry. And even if the leadership team doesnโt know it, their clients do, and their employees can feel it, too.
Taking It From The Kitchen Table to The Conference Room Table
I sometimes feel more like a family counselor than an Implementer for a business. Family members can bring a lot of hurt with them to the conference room table. They may have gone years holding grudges and hidden agendas and find it hard to disassociate from those old wounds.
With some clients, we have to spend time sorting out family quarrels before we can get to the business issues. Level 10 Meetingsโข become more about issues from the kitchen table than for the business at hand.
For any non-family leaders who didnโt eat at the dinner table last night, things can get pretty awkward. Iโve seen plenty of navel gazing and window watching as they wait for family members to verbally duke it out.
It All Boils Down To Whatโs Best for the Business
Ultimately, every family member should want whatโs best for the business. By being honest and open with each other, they can get back to that. A lot of times itโs like peeling back the layers of an onion.
To get past all the drama, we have to tie everything back to what will best serve the company. We focus on the bigger picture. We talk about whatโs best for their clients and employees and ultimately whatโs best for them.
The beauty of the EOS Processยฎ is that it breaks things down to objective data points. The subjectivity falls away. By focusing on their Vision/Traction Organizerโข, we can get back to the core values.
The owners remember what theyโre in business for and what is truly important. I love seeing the passion return to my clientsโ eyes when they have aha moments.
This is why I love living the EOS Lifeยฎ. I get the chance to do the work I love while making an impact on a small business. I love to make a difference in their livesโฆ even if I canโt bill them for the family therapy sessions.
Next Steps:
- Learn to make decisions faster and better by downloading a copy of our free eBook, Decide!
- Download the Issues Solving Trackโข from the EOS Toolboxโข to learn how to IDSโข (Identify, Discuss, and Solve) issues more effectively.
- Watch Mark OโDonnell describe the 8 Questions Your Leadership Team Should Answer to help you clarify your company vision
- Download a copy of the EOS V/TOโข to help you clarify, simplify, and achieve your vision
