In some ways, obtaining family alignment is like pulling teeth …. into alignment. It takes time, effort, due process and some (or lots) of pain. But the end result makes everything worthwhile – all the “bits” look better, and work better, over the long term.
Family alignment should be a primary goal for any family that seeks long term sustainability. It involves getting everyone: (a) on the same page; (b) facing the same horizon, and (c) happy they’ve agreed to journey together towards that horizon.
We always use family alignment to kick off new family business sustainability / succession projects. The process looks like this:
- Find out “who’s who in the zoo”? Key players – what are their personalities, expectations, needs, interests and issues?
- Provide written feedback – helicopter overview of the family’s situation: objectives, issues and challenges.
- Resolve any dangerous inter-personal issues to reduce the potential for blockers to derail the process.
- Circulate a questionnaire to prepare for a Family Values, Visions and Goal Setting workshop.
- Run the Values, Visions and Goal Setting workshop over one or two days, depending on the family.
- After achieving family alignment in the workshop, develop a long term Family Plan (typically, 25 to 50 years).
- Establish appropriate structures in the family to implement, monitor and enforce the plan. This is usually a Family Council.
Commencing the Family Alignment process: quickly achieved by phone or written application to The Solutionist Group.