“Family Business” … makes no sense!

Cause #21

In this episode, I explore how parenting styles shape family culture, personality development, and ultimately, the success or conflict that emerges in family businesses. I explain how early childhood experiences - whether from authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, or neglectful parenting - can resurface decades later in workplace dynamics, relationships, and decision-making. I also share how families can reframe past experiences, heal emotional wounds, and use understanding, empathy, and forgiveness to build stronger relationships and more resilient family enterprises.

Cause #20

In this episode, I explore how tradition and legacy can either strengthen or strangle a family business. When used wisely, they provide stability, identity, and a foundation for creativity and innovation. When misused, they trap families in outdated practices that suppress initiative and growth. I explain how to balance enduring human values with evolving business practices, foster a growth mindset across generations, and use governance systems and open dialogue to transform tradition and legacy into forces for sustainable, multi-generational success.

Cause #19

In this episode, I explore CEO Syndrome- a deeply personal identity trap that often causes conflict in family businesses when leaders struggle to separate who they are from the role they hold. I explain how over-identifying with leadership can lead to blocked succession, broken trust, and family tension, and why planning, empathy, and structured transitions are essential for smooth generational handovers. I also share how families can support outgoing leaders to redefine purpose beyond the business- turning legacy into mentorship rather than resistance.

Cause #18

In this episode, I discuss how disrespect, mistrust, and unconscious biases can quietly destroy trust and teamwork in a family business. I explain how these issues erode confidence, damage relationships, and create emotional divides that lead to conflict or collapse. I also share how leaders can prevent this by building a culture of respect, emotional intelligence, open feedback, and strong governance—ensuring fairness, trust, and collaboration at every level of the family and the business.

Cause #17

In this episode, I unpack one of the most powerful sources of conflict in family businesses — the clash between ownership and stewardship mindsets. I explain how an “owner” view focuses on control, entitlement, and personal benefit, while a “steward” view emphasises responsibility, legacy, and the wellbeing of future generations. Through real-world examples, I show how shifting from ownership to stewardship can preserve both family harmony and business longevity, and how open, facilitated conversations can prevent heartbreak, protect wealth, and keep families united across generations.

Cause #16

In this episode, I explore how sibling rivalry, while a natural part of growing up, can become a destructive force in family businesses when early emotional wounds, favoritism, or jealousy go unresolved. I explain how to unpack the roots of sibling conflict, recognise when competition turns unhealthy, and guide families through acknowledging and releasing old resentments. By addressing these deep-seated issues and redefining roles within the business, families can move from rivalry to respect- creating a stronger foundation for both their relationships and their success.

Cause #15

In this episode, I explore what happens when parental love and guilt collide with business logic. “Broken Wing Syndrome” describes the over-protection of an under-performing family member within a family business — a dynamic that can quietly undermine performance, succession, and morale. I explain how to separate family compassion from business decisions to protect both the family and the enterprise.

Cause #14

In this episode, I talk about Imposter Syndrome and how it often becomes a hidden source of conflict in family businesses. I explain how feelings of unworthiness and fear of being “found out” can drive leaders to overwork, micromanage, and create a culture of burnout and mistrust. I also share how developing a growth mindset, building self-awareness, and learning to trust and delegate can help overcome imposter syndrome — restoring confidence, balance, and psychological safety across the business.

Cause #13

In this episode, I explain Founder Syndrome- how the passion, energy, and charisma that drive a founder to launch and grow a business can later become a risk if leadership doesn’t adapt as the business matures. I discuss the dangers of over-reliance on founders, the importance of shifting from “storming” to “norming” with systems and delegation, and how founders can transition into roles that enable sustainable growth and long-term success for both the family and the business.

Cause #12

In this episode, I explain the relevance of Empathy (and lack of Empathy) as a common cause of family business conflict, and talk about how to use Empathy to help prevent, manage and resolve conflict.

Most family business conflicts are rooted in emotional causes, rather than financial demands - so the highest likelihood of getting a good resolution requires effective emotional responses before anyone tries to address rational issues. Empathy is the foundation of all effective emotional responses.

Cause #11

In this episode, I explain the relevance and application of Emotional Intelligence (“EQ”) to family business conflict. EQ is the ability to know, understand, and manage your own emotional drivers, and to respond effectively to those of others.

Most family business conflicts are rooted in emotional causes, rather than financial demands - so their causes, and their best prospects for resolution, need to address emotional factors before any attempt is made to address rational issues.

Cause #10

In this episode, I explain why most family business conflicts are rooted in emotional causes, rather than competitive financial demands, and why the resulting mindsets of family members can make or break the family and the business.

I use Carol Dweck’s work on Fixed and Growth Mindsets to explain how you can foster the right mindsets in your family and business to minimise and resolve conflict.

Cause #09

In this episode, I talk about how the conflicting needs and interests of individuals, families and family businesses can, at different times, be a powerful cause of conflict in both the family and the business …. and explain what you can do to minimise their impact.

Cause #08

In this episode, I talk about the four parenting styles that can contribute to the many forms of conflict that arise in family business; explore how and why understanding a family’s history can help to identify the root causes of many family business conflicts …. and explain what you can do about it.

Cause #07

In this episode, I talk about the conflicts that arise when dysfunctional personalities & disruptive behaviours impact family relations and business operations …. and explain what you can do to minimise their impact.

Cause #06

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of 'fossilised leaders' in family business. A concept introduced by Jon around 15 years ago which describes leaders that are resistant to change. We discuss what causes it, how to spot it, how to respond to it, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening.

Cause #05

In this episode, we focus on broken promises and unmet expectations, emphasising that most conflicts stem from relational issues rather than financial ones. Categorising family members in business into three types: rebels, resenters, and submitters, each reacting differently to conflicts and unmet expectations.

Cause #04

This episode talks about how and why different life stages create unavoidable tensions between different generations of family members working in a family business, as their personal and professional needs come into fierce competition at different times in their lives. I also provide practical suggestions for what to do about it.

Cause #03

In this episode, we focus on narcissism as a significant factor in succession issues. Defining narcissism as a personality trait characterised by self-centeredness and a lack of empathy, explaining its evolutionary roots and how it manifests in varying degrees from healthy to grandiose narcissism.

Cause #02

In this episode, we explore the inherent conflicts between family dynamics and business operations, positing that emotional relational issues, rather than financial ones, are often the root causes of these conflicts.

Cause #01

In this episode, we talk about the differences that can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts that have deep roots in family dynamics, and how stresses that resolving these conflicts requires understanding the personalities involved and their impacts on behavior.

Thanks for stopping by, I'm Jon Kenfield, the host of the Family Business Challenge series: "Family Business" ... makes no sense!

In this series, I'll be tackling 51 individual causes that affect Family Businesses. Focusing on family conflict - a primary cause of family business failure - where either the family, the business, or both, fail.

I share my learnings from almost 3 decades of working as a Solutionist with real Business Families - by exploring 50 of the most common causes of conflict I've dealt with. I also explain how to prevent, avoid, and resolve those conflicts. For...