What is clean language?:
Clean Language allows for open-ended discussions without leading responses.
It differs from traditional questioning by maintaining neutrality and focusing on the interviewee’s words.
Challenges in applying Clean Language include resisting the urge to interpret or influence responses.
In the case of BATIMAT (Family Business):
BATIMAT’s Governance Challenges
Current Governance Structure: BATIMAT operates under a highly centralized governance model, with the founder making all strategic decisions. This ensures a clear direction but limits scalability and exposes the firm to risks in leadership succession.
Governance Issues:
1. Lack of Leadership Development – Absence of structured leadership roles prevents knowledge transfer and future readiness.
2. Succession Uncertainty – No clear transition plan leads to potential conflict when leadership change is required.
Vision for Reform: To address these governance issues, BATIMAT should implement:
A Board of Advisors – A mix of family and external specialists to provide strategic guidance and reduce one-sided decision-making. (Dyer, 1986)
Defined Leadership Roles – Structuring key positions within the company to ensure knowledge transfer and continuity. (Carney, 2005)
A Family Constitution – A formal document outlining governance principles, ownership rights, and succession planning. (Gersick et al., 1997)
BATIMATS METAPHORE:
Succession paradox: "A relay race where only one runner holds the baton"
The founder is the only one holding the baton (decision-making power), with no clear successor ready to take over. Without a structured handoff, the business risks stumbling when a transition is inevitable.
The longer the baton is held by one person, the greater the risk that no one else is prepared to continue the race and we will be left behind (creating intern conflicts) by our competitors.
General Questions to ask:
1. Understanding Governance Structure
What kind of governance does your family business have?
And what happens when a major decision needs to be made?
What is the role of family members in the business?
And is there anything else about how governance works in your family business?
2. Decision-Making & Challenges
When a conflict arises in governance, what happens next?
And what happens just before a decision is made?
Who is involved in making strategic decisions, and how does that work?
What would you like to have happen in your governance structure?
3. Succession & Leadership
What happens when leadership needs to change?
How is the next generation being prepared for leadership roles?
What needs to happen for a smooth leadership transition?
And what is important about that?
4. Exploring Metaphors in Governance
If your family business governance was like something, what would it be like?
And what kind of [metaphor] is that?
What is the governance structure like at its best?
And when it is working well, what happens?
What happens if its bad?
5. Envisioning the Future of Governance
What would you like to have happen in your governance system?
And what needs to happen for that to be possible?
How will you know that governance has improved?
And what difference would that make to the business?