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Cause #7 For want of a Family Plan …
“For want of a nail the shoe was lost, For want of a shoe the horse was lost, For want of a horse the rider was lost, For want of a rider the message was lost, For want of a message the battle was lost, For defeat in battle the kingdom was lost, And all […]
Read MoreCause #7 Equal ain’t Equitable
One of the most common causes of family business conflict arises from (innocently) confusing equality (providing equal benefits), with equity (providing fair treatment). On careful analysis, this almost always indicates avoidance of responsibility to exercise discretion towards family members in widely different circumstances, even where most outsiders, and most family members, would think it perfectly […]
Read MoreCause #6 In-Laws, Outlaws & Blended Families
All forms of matrimonial relationship can create conflicts for business families – with increasingly complicated family structures resulting in a bewildering variety of happy, working, blended, extended, dysfunctional and broken family units forming parts of larger family groups. Higher general and business education levels; social pressures demanding greater equality, inclusiveness, and communication transparency; broadening perceptions […]
Read MoreCause #5 Fossilised Leaders
“Fossilisation” is the process of rusting in place in a business leadership role, by becoming more averse to change and innovation. It’s usually caused by age. We are living longer, working longer and, despite having to deal with a global pandemic, we expect to do far more in our lives than ever before. This encourages […]
Read MoreCause #4 Managing Unmet Expectations and Broken Promises in Family Businesses
When people feel betrayed, or unfairly treated, by people they believed they could trust – frustration, resentment, anger, and a strong desire for revenge, are common consequences. Conflicts brew, and eventually spill over. Despite the fond wish to believe that every family business is a haven of peace, integrity and high trust, the reality is […]
Read MoreCause #3 Human Diversity – Ages & Stages
We don’t pay enough attention to the effect of different ages and stages on people’s thinking and behaviours. This raises real issues when family members working together in a family business are at different ages and stages in their respective lives. We see this most powerfully when two or more generations of a family are […]
Read MoreCause #2 Managing Personality Differences in Family Business Conflicts
Personality differences have huge impacts on the nature and quality of interactions between family members – in and out of a family business – and between family members and family business employees. “Character” is how the world sees you, and how you see yourself – as a stable, accumulated collection of traits and qualities that […]
Read MoreCause #1 Family Business – Blessing, or Curse?
Oh, the drama! The very word “Family” engages us all, at a visceral level. Whether it’s a light, dark, hot, cold, happy, sad, loved or lonely response, “family” always stirs some sort of emotional response. The words “Family Business” engage us in several additional dimensions: emotional, intellectual, professional and financial. And from the outside they […]
Read MoreFamily Business Mediation Video No 50. Cuckoo Consultants. By Jon Kenfield. Solutionist.
Family Business Mediation Video No 50. Cuckoo Consultants. By Jon Kenfield. Family Business Mediator. Solutionist. This video is unique amongst the 50 in this series in that it looks to an entirely external conflict generator that can act upon the family – as opposed to the other 49 causes, where the family does its own […]
Read MoreFamily Business Mediation Video No 49. Non – Family Conflict Causes. By Jon Kenfield. Solutionist.
Family Business Mediation Video No 49. Non – Family Conflict Causes. By Jon Kenfield. Solutionist. Can non-family people create conflicts within the family business? You bet! Family Business are notorious for creating cliques (read your Shakespeare!): supporters for Mum vs Dad; for siblings against other siblings; for one generation against another; and for getting all […]
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