In a recent mastermind meeting that I facilitated, one owner of a family- based import company shared the difficulty he had in managing his younger brother who he also employs in his company.
The brother was not living up to the owner's expectations of how to deal with customers, not showing up to work on time, not going after the goals with the vim and vigor that he expected.
Firing the brother was not an option and there were things that the brother did which were to his liking.
The group discussed how one can manage a family member, along with other employees who were not family.
As can be expected, views and perspectives differed.
This prompted a question in my mind that I have coached around many times for different clients: can and should one consider doing business (or going into business) with a family member or a friend for that matter?
We all know that this is "explosive territory", but on the other hand since trust is such a major component of working with someone, does it not make more sense to work with someone close to you- like a friend or relative- then to engage with someone whom you know less well and are apt to trust less to begin with.
What do you think?
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