Working Successfully with Family Members
“You think politics are tough? Go work for your mom or dad.” – Gary Vaynerchuk, entrepreneur, public speaker and author
Working with family is both rewarding and challenging, and it’s just as important to value and nourish what makes the relationships work as it to resolve issues when they don’t.
Sometimes working with family members is a choice but, in some situations, it’s a necessity. When a family member starts a new business, it may be all hands on deck until the business can support hiring all the necessary part and/or full-time positions.
More often than not, small business owners feel more comfortable working with family members. The relationships have been in place for a long time and the individuals are deeply familiar with each other. They can communicate in shorthand know they’ll be understood.
There is also a perception, not always true, that family members are more likely to be dedicated to the long-term success of the business than outsiders. In addition, family members they can trust one another with information that they are unwilling to share with outside employees.
4 Tips for Working with Family
Good fences makes good neighbors – and good family work relationships
Keep boundaries in place between family issues and work issues.
Put it in writing
Document all aspects of the family members’ roles with the business to prevent misunderstanding and avoid conflicts.
Don’t sacrifice family to the business
Non-working time together reinforces family bonds and contributes to strong working relationships, so it’s important to preserve a balance between working and playing as a family.
Be Fair
If a family member is one among several employees, treat family members the same way you treat other employees. Don’t expect more – or less – from your relatives.
If you would like to learn more about how this might apply to your business, let’s talk:
