April 23, 2023
My grandparents, on both sides of my family, had a significant influence on my life. One set of grandparents fostered my interest in agriculture, and, through our family’s struggles and challenges,...
March 26, 2023
Estate planning involving a family-owned business is a difficult endeavor. You are contemplating the future of the business you built, which is a big part of your legacy. You are thinking about your...
March 12, 2023
Gatherings of family or family business members can be at times taken for granted and at times intentionally avoided: “We’re always together” or “We never meet.” Roles or proximity might require...
February 26, 2023
When a family business member passes away, it can feel doubly painful because we have lost someone who was part of two overlapping families: our extended family and our work family. The person who...
February 12, 2023
Life in the family business — life in general — can often feel overwhelming. You have recurring seasons of high-stakes work and the constant pressure to perform. But at some point the need for rest...
January 29, 2023
My last blessing focused on the senior generation “letting go” of their family business role. Today’s blessing is for the younger generation and their entrance into the family business. We are often...
January 15, 2023
A key challenge in family business succession is the senior generation’s transition to a different role, or to a partial or full exit from the organization. Not only must they “let go” of what they’...
January 5, 2023
This week I continue to explore the relationships between King David’s children. After King David’s son, Amnon, rapes his half-sister, Tamar, we are offered a glimpse into Amnon’s feelings:Then Amnon...
December 18, 2022
I’m finishing the year by reflecting on Psalms (songs) that match up to some of the events we’ve covered in David’s life. Psalm 51 is about King David’s affair with Bathsheba. He recognizes he’s...
October 30, 2022
King David misses his son, Absalom, who fled after murdering his brother, Amnon. (Amnon had raped their sister, Tamar.) King David’s key general and right hand man, Joab, encourages David to bring...