As I look back on the occasions when I was hired to coach the child of the founder in a family business, one theme has been consistent: Owners want me to ‘fix’ their child, and if I can do that, the business will get better.
It’s an instinct—focus on the person who seems to disrupt harmony, and you can hope that addressing their behavior will smooth out broader challenges. But in my experience, this ‘outside-in’ thinking often misses the mark.
Sure, you can install a simple operating system (OS), like the Entrepreneurial Operating System, to organize how issues are surfaced, discussed and hopefully solved. And, of course, the conversation around the “right people, right seat” might surface the issue.
In a few clients that come to mind, the person who needed to be “fixed” never found the right fit in the right seat. Either their skills didn’t fit the seat, or they weren’t a cultural fit with the organization and its emerging leadership.Â
The truth is that long-term, meaningful change doesn’t come from fixing others. It comes from recognizing each individual’s true nature and behavior, which requires first recognizing your true behavior and thoughts and then addressing the problem. Often, this starts with individual growth.
Lasting transformation comes from investing in the people—not just the processes or profit improvement initiatives. This perspective isn’t new, but it’s gaining wider recognition. That’s why my approach to long-term success involves prioritizing the personal development of every family member and creating a business relationship (usually a coaching one) with each family member in the business. As I often remind my clients, a company can only grow as far as the people within it.
When leaders and team members commit to their personal growth—improving communication, developing emotional intelligence, or confronting limiting beliefs—the ripple effects are extraordinary. Teams strengthen, relationships deepen, and the business becomes a more unified, thriving entity.
Personal growth isn’t just a part of the process—it’s the foundation. Individuals evolving unlock new levels of creativity, collaboration, and resilience. These qualities benefit the person and transform the entire business.
This approach is at the heart of everything I do as a coach. Helping people show up as their best selves is the most powerful way to support the success of their business.
Ready to take the first step? Let’s work together to uncover your family’s strengths and build a thriving business from the inside out. Book a call with me today.