Family Business Issues


13Aug 2011

Lessons Learned from Media Interviews

In the past two weeks since the launch of Dr. Chapman’s and my book, the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, I have had over 20 media interviews — radio (mostly), TV, and print.  It has been a fun and interesting experience — and I have more to do in the coming weeks. I thought I would share some

01Apr 2011

5 Bad Ways to Choose a Career

Sometimes we focus on the right way to do a task.  But other times it is helpful to look at the wrong way to do something. In my career coaching with students, young & older adults, I have seen some patterns of bad ways that people have attempted to choose their career direction — and rarely do these approaches work. 

24Feb 2011

Making Difficult Decisions – Some Principles for Our Leaders to Consider

Our political leaders have some very difficult issues to manage: Not enough tax revenue to pay for commitments made; The need to cut expenditures, with the accompanying result of displeasing (and even angering) constituents in the areas reduced; Seemingly unrealistic expectations from the general public – wanting “less government” and reduced taxes, but still wanting the same level of services provided;

14Nov 2010

Common Concerns in Transferring Wealth — Confirmations from Princeton

Last week I had the opportunity and privilege of being one of three facilitators at an event at Princeton University entitled, “Conversations about Family, Wealth & Philanthropy”. With my long-time friend, Doug Bauer (CEO of the Clark Foundation, formerly of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors) and my new friend, William Zabel (well-know estate planning attorney in NYC and author of The Rich

05Nov 2010

Rethinking Family Businesses & Cultural Biases and Questionable Research

Last week I had the privilege in participating in a “think tank” about family businesses at Pepperdine University. Led and organized by Dr. Ken Canfield (formerly the director of the National Center for Fathering, now the director of the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine), a small group of professionals who serve family businesses met for two days discussing

24Oct 2010

Reflecting Reality — Sometimes Means Telling People Things They Don't Want to Hear

When working with people in my role as a coach or counselor, I often tell them that part of my role is to “reflect reality” to them — to give them objective and honest feedback on how I see their situation, and what choices they actually have (versus the choices they wish they have). Some examples include: *Helping family business

12Sep 2010

Working Together with Your Spouse — In Business & At Home

One of the issues that I deal with almost every week is the challenges associated with spouses working together. (If you do not work together in a business setting, do not “check out” yet — these issues occur for virtually all couples, because you have to “work together” at home — either doing projects, making meals, managing the finances, doing

02Sep 2010

Brief Personal Note: Two Significant Milestones

Friends, I thought I would briefly share about two significant events in my life this week. 1. My wedding anniversary. As of September 1, my lovely wife, Kathy, and I have been married 31 years. So it’s not one of those “special” years, but this year does seem special — partially, I think, because all four of our adult children

01Aug 2010

"How Will You Measure Your Life?" + Some Observations

Sometimes someone writes an article, or gives a speech, that is noteworthy. Their thoughtfulness and manner of communication is remarkable. And you really can’t add much to what they have already said. But you want to share their thoughts with those important to you. Such is the nature of the article, based on his commencement speech to the 2010 graduating

22Jul 2010

From Morse Code to 3D Movies: What Kind of Communicator Are You?

Recently, I was working with a husband and wife who also own and run a business together. One of the issues that came up was their differences in communicating, and how this creates challenges in their relationship (both personally and as co-managers). I used a “word picture” that helped illustrate the difficulties they are experiencing in communicating with one another.

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