In our family business, emotions are always in the room even when we try to pretend otherwise. Meetings are never just about numbers or plans. They are shaped by years of history, relationships, respect, and sometimes disappointment. When a suggestion is rejected, it doesn’t feel like a business decision it feels personal. When someone is not invited to a meeting, it’s not just a scheduling issue it becomes a family story. We care deeply about each other, and that’s our strength. But that same care can also become a barrier. Sometimes we avoid difficult conversations because we’re afraid to hurt someone’s feelings. We hold back feedback to “keep the peace.” We choose comfort over clarity. As a result, important decisions are delayed, and problems stay under the surface. Emotional safety becomes more important than professional performance.
This emotional dynamic affects our company’s health. A business needs honesty and openness to grow, but emotions make that difficult. We’re not always able to separate roles from relationships. Sometimes I wonder: are we protecting each other or are we protecting ourselves from change? To move forward, we need to accept that emotions are part of the business. We shouldn’t try to hide them, but we also can’t let them control every choice. Creating shared rules, holding structured discussions, and allowing space for disagreement may feel cold at first but they help the business stay strong, and the family stay healthy.