Family Leadership

Most companies start out quite small

And some don’t grow much at all.

But of course as fortunes rise

Some do attain a certain size.

But even if they grow quite large,

While the founder’s still in charge,

Decision making’s very clear-

The Captain is the one who’ll steer.

But families do tend to grow

And problems start as you well know.

Some families have had bad patches

With fights as fierce as boxing matches,

Tremendous bouts, no rules or gloves

Or filial and fraternal loves.

And when relationships have failed

The amoeba model has prevailed.

In fairness though, it must be said

Some families when they head

For a split plan it quite well,

While others choose to go through hell.

But if it is your ambition

To put aside perpetual fission

And build a group that lasts and grows

Then it quite naturally flows

That families must work in teams.

That’s not as easy as it seems.

With siblings it can be quite rough.

With cousins it can be more tough.

And women who were oft excluded

Now more and more are included.

In-laws sometimes play a part.

And handling them’s a special art.

But the goal is worth a try

Since you serve to unify

The family and help to build

A family business that is filled

With the aspirations and diverse skills

Of all its members. If these thrills

Appeal to you, do go ahead.

Don’t be complacent but instead

Face the issues and decide

How this method will be tried.

If you manage to remember

To take the best from every member,

To be democratic as well as fair,

Give professionals their rightful share,

Suppress the urge for personal greed

In favour of the family’s need,

Then with the blessings of the Gods

I am sure you can beat the odds,

Put every member in the caste

And build a business that will last.