Your family business support system

As the Israelites continue through the wilderness, they are attacked by Amalek.1 The eventual successor to Moses, Joshua, leads the battle against Amalek — but he prevails only when Moses’ arms are raised. Here is the story:

So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (Exodus 17:10-12)

As the fighting develops between the warring parties, it becomes clear that Moses needs to keep his arms raised. But he’s growing weary. Aaron and Hur help by preparing a seat and then each taking one of Moses’ arms. The reinforcement they offer Moses allows Israel to win the battle. It’s a solid lesson in how others can be supportive.

It takes assistance from others to lead a family business. The notions of trust and support are reasons family members join — and stay — together. But asking for or receiving “support” in a family businesses is often more complex. Did Moses realize he needed to sit down? Did he ask for help? Or did Aaron or Hur initiate? Was the help gratefully received or begrudgingly accepted by Moses? We don’t know the answers. But in families, the idea of support is often intertwined with notions of pride and ego and independence, mixed with opinions and expectations and assumptions.

When was the last time you experienced the support of a family member — and did you ask, or did they offer first? What are some of the ways you can provide help to your family members or business partners?