Business Meetings: Like Family Meetings, Where Communication Is the Key Tool
Our family has been having regular family meetings for years. It all began when our children were teenagers. Determined to raise independent kids, I made it a priority to delegate responsibilities within the household. As we all know, adulting is hard work, and life admin doesn’t get done by itself.
At the time, I was learning the art of delegation and received an insightful tip from my coach: don’t assign chores directly—instead, present the list of tasks and allow family members to choose what they’d like to contribute. I applied this advice to our family meetings.
A Family Meeting in Action
During our monthly gatherings, we would discuss the chores that needed to be done. Each child had to take on three tasks, with the option of doing additional chores for payment. Naturally, this occasionally led to some trying to prioritise paid tasks over unpaid ones, which sparked conversations about fairness and responsibility. Beyond chores, these meetings became a platform for any family member to raise topics important to them. It was a space to foster connection and ensure the household didn’t descend into chaos.
Now that the kids have grown up and moved out, we still hold family meetings—though less frequently and with different topics. The tradition of open communication we cultivated continues to serve us well and will hopefully be passed down through future generations.
Building Trust and Open Communication
Creating a culture of trust and transparency is essential, both in families and businesses. Open communication fosters collaboration, builds stronger relationships, and helps prevent misunderstandings. Here are some principles to consider:
- Encourage Open Dialogue: Create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.
- Listen Respectfully: Foster an environment where contributions from all members are valued.
- Address Issues Directly: Avoid emotional cutoffs or sidestepping difficult conversations.
- Balance Contributions: Ensure everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinions and take part in decision-making.
Lessons from the Owens’ Family Case Study
The late Richard Owens’ family business offers an inspiring example of how structured communication can transform both family and business dynamics. The Owens family’s approach includes an owner’s board for business decisions and a family council for broader family discussions. This separation of roles ensures clarity and preserves harmony. Their case study is now taught in business schools worldwide, emphasising the financial and relational benefits of family governance.
What is Helpful about these Regular Meetings?
According to systems theory, open communication is far more effective than closed communication. For instance, if I have an issue with a business associate, I will have direct person-to-person communication with the associate rather than airing my troubles to another person (triangling in a third person). This is more productive than venting to a third party. While I might feel better momentarily, it doesn’t resolve the underlying problem or improve the working relationship. Open communication involves sharing thoughts and feelings freely, without fear of judgment or withdrawal from others.
This ideal is most achievable when individuals possess emotional maturity. While not all of us are there yet (myself included), we can take steps to improve:
- Manage our discomfort about others’ reactions.
- Avoid diminishing or inflating our importance in conversations.
- Let go of the need for others to provide the “right” response.
Final Thoughts
Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Effective communication, whether in families or businesses, is foundational to this success. By working on our communication skills and emotional resilience, we can create environments where collaboration thrives.
References:
- From Family Feud to Successful Conflict Management.
https://www.tharawat-magazine.com/sustain/family-feud-conflict-management/ - Schwass, J., Hillerström, H., Kück, H. and Lief, C., 2010. Wise Wealth: Creating it, managing it, preserving it. Springer.
- Bowen, M. and Kerr, M.E., 2009. Family evaluation. WW Norton & Company.
