In recent blog/newsletter pieces I wrote about the importance of a specific type of family meeting whose agenda is to discuss the family itself in the context of the business, but not business management or operations. Subsequently I was asked what important actions could help these meetings succeed. At the top of my list: Establish rules of communication.
In his blog piece Rules of Communication in Family Meetings, Dana Telford of the Family Business Consulting Group wrote about an experience with a family he was working with. He had asked them to suggest some actions they would take, as part of their family meetings, to ensure everybody is listening and being heard, and that meetings will be productive. Telford includes the list of rules the family developed and adopted
- “No interruptions
- Be honest but respectful
- Seek first to understand
- Everyone has a responsibility
- Set an agenda and stick to it
- Set time limit for topics in debate
- Anyone can call a timeout
- All are equal
- Everyone is included
- The rules rule
- Notes will be kept by the secretary”[1]
Rules may differ for different families, but having established rules of communication undoubtedly “can save a family meeting from falling apart and becoming a wasted, frustrating use of time and energy.”[2]
These same rules when carried over into all family communications will support the long-term success of both the family and the business.
In future articles I will explore some of these rules in depth and help you understand how to implement them.
[1] from Dana Telford, Rules of Communication in Family Meetings. The Family Business Consulting Group. May 14, 2015 (http://blog.thefbcg.com/author/danatelford/
[2] Ibid.