Reading the Harvard Business Review article “How to Lead When Things Feel Increasingly Out of Control,” I was struck by its particular relevance for family-owned firms—businesses often criticized for delaying critical decisions and missing opportunities amid uncertainty and volatility. This perception notwithstanding, many family businesses bring decades of hard-won experience in navigating uncertainty. They have […]
The potential of growth equity for family businesses
The private equity (PE) landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, offering family businesses new opportunities for growth without compromising their core values. Family firms have historically been wary of PE, which often conjures images of aggressive cost-cutting, loss of control and a focus on short-term financial gains. This perception is not without merit: in […]
NEWS: Mango faces challenges in leadership succession and future direction
Following the sudden passing of Isak Andic, the founder and non-executive chairman of Mango, the Spanish fashion multinational faces its most critical challenges since its establishment in 1984. Following death of founder: Challenges Mango now faces in leadership succession and future direction Homepage image: Mango
Happiness as a strategic pillar
Far more than an abstract ideal, happiness a fundamental condition for both individual and collective success. Martin Seligman, a global authority in positive psychology, offers the PERMA model as the foundation of well-being, built upon five core components: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment. As a professor specialized in human behavior within organizations, I’ve […]
Navigating conflict in family business
Conflict is an inherent part of human interaction, arising whenever there is a divergence of opinion or interest on a concrete issue. In the context of family businesses, the most successful organizations anticipate and manage conflict before it arises. These companies recognize conflict as a natural occurrence: if it hasn’t cropped up yet, it’s only […]
Corporate governance in family firms: 7 key concepts
The convergence of personal relationships and business objectives in family firms often gives rise to unique challenges and added complexities in their management and sustainability. In this context, solid corporate governance systems are critical to ensuring their long-term success. On November 7, IESE’s Madrid campus brought together renowned experts to analyze corporate governance as a […]
NEWS: The role of parenting styles in family firms
Much has been written about the challenges of separating personal and professional roles in family-owned firms, but instilling family values and leadership qualities begins even earlier. This article presents findings from a recent study of 119 successors serving as CEOs in their family firms and 145 employees working directly with them to identify which parenting […]
What do shareholders of family firms deserve?
As family businesses transition across generations, a distinct type of shareholder emerges: one who only own shares while playing no role on its executive board or leadership team. The concept of responsible and committed ownership has increasingly gained traction in recent years, guided by the principle of stewardship. This vision underscores the critical need for […]
The evolving role of women in family business
Women are increasingly stepping into senior-level roles in family-owned firms, bringing a distinct leadership style that blends strategic acumen with an ability to balance both family and business dynamics. This article explores the growing influence of women in family-owned firms, the challenges they face and new opportunities on the horizon. Female leadership in family business […]
Navigating reputation: a delicate balance for family firms
For family businesses, reputation is everything, past, present and future. It’s about maintaining a positive image today, while preserving a legacy that can be passed down through generations. More so than non-family firms, where the business and employees’ personal lives often occupy separate realms, family firms are deeply connected to their reputation. This also makes […]
NEWS: The messy Murdoch succession drama, explained
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is navigating a court case that will impact the company’s future by determining how its voting shares will be divided among his four eldest children. The outcome of the succession process could have major implications for his media empire, as well as its role in shaping U.S. and global politics. The […]
