I’m thrilled to have joined the experts panel at &Simple, who are focussed on helping FOs and their service providers professionalise and be future-ready through insights, services and data.
In my first insight published on their platform, I articulate three principles of good family governance:
1. The stewardship (rather than ownership) mindset: family wealth does not belong to any individual, rather to the family – both present and future. The people who happen to be responsible for it at any time act as stewards, taking their turn to look after it for the benefit of the whole family.
2. Because they have this steward role, open communication and transparency is essential. Lack of communication leads to negative assumptions and an erosion of trust. Being open and accountable to family members builds trust and fosters a sense of accountability to the entire family.
3. More broadly, this is about the responsible use of power. Families have an inherent power dynamic based on generations and control. Those in power have a responsibility to use that power carefully and judicially.
Consider This: What are the attitudes of the incumbent generations to the family wealth? What are the differences in those attitudes between generations (particularly 1st and 2nd)? How openly does your family communicate about matters relating to the family wealth?
Further reading:
- The philosophy and principles of family governance
- Why good governance makes sense for family businesses
- Differentiators that help family businesses to thrive
- Roundtable: Communication, transparency among keys to managing successful family businesses
- A therapist’s take on what “Succession” gets painfully right about power and family
Here is more on reading on Family office(s).
