Running a family business is like building a house of cards (no, I don’t mean the serie on Netflix), its delicate, takes a lot of patience and relying entirely on balance. Each card isn’t just part of the structure, it represents a person, a role, or a value that keeps everything intact. When things are going smoothly, the house stands tall, nurturing growth, tradition, and a lasting legacy. But the truth is, it only takes one shaky card - a disagreement, a difficult decision about succession, or a clash over power - to unsettle the entire structure. Feelings of jealousy, favoritism, or even a small misstep in leadership can ripple through the foundation, putting everything at risk.
Like a deck of cards, family businesses require flexibility. There are times when you have to bend yourself -compromise, make hard choices, and set aside personal desires for the sake of the bigger picture. Being too rigid can fracture relationships and stall progress, while being too lenient can lead to frustration and exhaustion. The real art lies in knowing when to stand firm and when to yield, ensuring emotions don’t cloud judgment and the business stays on course (eventough it may be hard for someone to control his emotions).
What makes a family business so special and sometimes so challenging, is the trust and shared history or even mission that bind it together. But when emotions take over, business decisions can quickly feel personal. It’s like a card game where everyone wants to be the king (in this case the sucessor of my father), but someone has to be the steady foundation. True success isn’t about stacking the cards higher, it’s about keeping the structure balanced, united and strong enough to endure for generations to come.
@hannah.holztrattner Your post brings a vivid and engaging perspective to the challenges of family business, blending metaphor with real tensions like succession struggles and emotional complexity. The balance between tradition, power, and flexibility is well captured, and your reflections on leadership dynamics resonate strongly. You highlight the delicate interplay between personal relationships and professional decisions, but expanding on how successful family firms navigate these tensions could add depth. Have you come across any research or case studies that support your views? Bringing in references would strengthen your argument and connect your reflections to broader industry insights. Great work!