leadership development blog posts

Growing businesses often face issues that are left un-addressed for long periods of time.  Issues like succession planning, developing bench strength, and encouraging internal leadership development are often difficult to put in the priority list for time and valuable resources.

Family-owned businesses have exactly the same issues, but with the complicating twist of employing family members throughout the organization.  It is not unusual for these family members to have some confusion around some very important issues related to their progress in the company.

Here are 3 Key issues that family-owned businesses must address if they are to remain vibrant and alive into the 3^rd and 4^th generations:

Provide a Path.  Spell out with all family members who enter the business how they can utilize their skills to create a growth path within the company.  The path must be clear enough to provide them with a roadmap to the future, but flexible enough to enable them to change directions as they mature.

Develop Them. Without opportunities for professional development, even the most talented family member employees falter.  Providing a clear, effectively designed set of developmental tools is essential to help them grow into the next generation of family executives.

Be Honest. This is often the hardest to do, because it means addressing head-on, the hidden (or not-so-hidden) desires of a host of other employee family members.  Leveling with them about their long-term potential is crucial in avoiding family disagreements down the road.

The time spent actively addressing these three issues can help prevent a host of more complicated problems and add significantly to family harmony.

The steamroller.  The one who never seems to consider what anyone else on the team wants or feels is right.  The one who is convinced of the rightness of his opinion or proposal and then rolls right over anyone who gets in the way.

When faced with a steamrolling employee, many co-workers simply lie down and let the steamrolling begin.  It is so much easier and less time-consuming, but it is also so much less risky than standing up to them.

The problem with this approach is two-fold.

1. The behavior continues unabated, leaving everyone feeling vulnerable.
2. Team morale steadily erodes to the point where the team can become non-functional.

Approaches. There are a couple of ways to deal with a steamrolling co-worker.

1. Label the behavior in a non-accusatory way.  For example: “John, when you disregard what the rest of us on the team have said, it really shuts me down.  And I know that isn’t what you want, is it?  What you are proposing has a lot of merit, but we really need to take into consideration what the rest of us believe.”
2. If the team has tried to address the steamrolling behavior without success, then it is time to move up the ladder and address it with a supervisor who has more authority.

Early and Often. The key is to not let the behavior continue to the point where it is seriously detracting from the team’s effectiveness.  Addressing it early and often will usually help bring it to an end.

Have you had a conversation like this with yourself? “I am a very smart person, I have gotten along quite well with expertise in my field, common sense and drive. Coaches charge a lot of money. Expensive cheerleaders. What can they do for me that I can’t do for myself?”

Here is what a coach can do for you

A good coach listens. Fully. Really hearing. And while they are listening, they are connecting the dots – looking for nuances and fine points that will help to move you toward your goal.

A good coach questions. “What does that really mean?” “How did your boss react to that?” “What is the logical conclusion of your theory?” Probing and challenging your viewpoint and perspective.

A good coach provides new information. “Have you thought about….?” “What if you tried…?”

“Sometimes it helps to…”

A good coach holds you accountable. “Were you able to…?” Did you have that difficult conversation?” “What is your progress on…?”

A good coach gives you the gift of the truth – 100% of the time. Whether it feels positive or not.

A good coach is interested in your development and success and is focused 100% on you.