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  • February 20, 2014
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review (website)

How to Thrive While Leading a Family Business

By: Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer
  • Format:Electronic
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Abstract

This article explores the differences between family business executives who thrive and those who struggle. It discusses how family business environments are inherently complex due to the intertwinement of work and life. Thriving leaders exhibit four key behaviors: establishing separate discussion rooms for different aspects of business and family, managing the emotional "crocodile" brain during decision-making, creating paths for life after the C-Suite, and fostering passion and wisdom to develop the next generation of leaders. Thriving leaders find deeper rewards and meaning within family businesses compared to corporate environments.

Keywords

Family and Family Relationships; Work-Life Balance; Family Ownership; Outcome or Result; Leadership Style

Citation

Baron, Josh, and Rob Lachenauer. "How to Thrive While Leading a Family Business." Harvard Business Review (website) (February 20, 2014).
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About The Author

Josh Baron

Strategy
→More Publications

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    How a Company’s Ownership Model Shapes the Mistakes It Makes

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    Why Companies Thrive Or Die: Ownership and the Path to Perpetuation

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    Steer Your Family Businesses Through an Unplanned Transition

    By: Josh Baron and Nick Di Loreto
More from the Authors
  • How a Company’s Ownership Model Shapes the Mistakes It Makes By: Josh Baron
  • Why Companies Thrive Or Die: Ownership and the Path to Perpetuation By: Josh Baron
  • Steer Your Family Businesses Through an Unplanned Transition By: Josh Baron and Nick Di Loreto
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