Hello there!
As Father’s Day comes upon us, the internet is flooded with Father’s day quotes, blogs, videos, gift ideas, and reminders not to forget Dad this weekend. So guess what? Here’s another Father’s Day blog! 🙂
I have personally worked in two family businesses in my life – of two different families, two different sizes and two different lines of business. However, there are a lot of similarities between most family businesses. (No, I’m not referring just to the little petty arguments!) I found a few quotes in the multitude of Father’s Day ones out there that describe the backbone of a family business fairly well.
The first one from Umberto Eco: “I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by the little scraps of wisdom.” In other words, it’s when a father is not trying to teach that your children learn the most. It’s the everyday actions, the ethics, the reactions to life events and the things a father says and does to others that make the impact and form a child. And when that child ends up in a family business, the father will see a reflection of himself in that now-grown son or daughter of his. Essentially, he is forming the culture of the business, and of his family.
And another anonymous one: “When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.” A little reminder to all of us that what a parent impresses on his or her child will likely be what they teach to their own children. The business application? I don’t think it needs much explanation. The results will be obvious in the commitment to the business and prosperity.
That being said, although at times it may be frustrating to be in a family business, there is a certain freedom and flexibility which can’t be found in the larger corporations of the world. So thanks to all the fathers out there who are working hard to succeed in making a family business prosper for the the livelihood of their children. Happy Father’s Day to all!
Want to work for a family business? We’re hiring!