Behavioral and financial guardrails or guidelines can help provide clarity for how and when to speak up. Family businesses have the advantage of a deep commitment to a clear mission — their “why.” In the face of rapidly changing technology, global conditions, and customer expectations, that “why” can provide the necessary guardrails to give latitude for the “how.
Once you’ve created an environment of psychological safety, you’re ready to set the stage for diverse perspectives and voices to join the conversation.Sharing diverse perspectives within a family business can be fraught with challenges. But the following four actions, when implemented together, can increase the diversity of perspectives and enhance cohesion within the business.
Again, data is key in these conversations, and data-based decision-making needs to be role-modeled by the older generations. A more dictatorial enforcement of their perspective would only shut down future conversations. And be sure to distribute responsibility for bringing in new perspectives, including identifying external advisors or experts.