Rock LaManna06.23.20
Q: Hi Rock, you talk about family businesses in the flexo print manufacturing realm. I wonder what you think about a company where people argue and yell every single day in the office. I’m talking mostly about family members, but it has gotten to the point where everyone yells because of habit… and just to be heard! My environment is giving me a lot of stress. I don’t want to adopt this behavior at work or spread it at home.
A: Families sure have interesting dynamics, don’t they? Do you think these family members are aware of their behavior? Do they know it bothers you? And, if so, do they care?
In my experience, employees of family businesses are often unsure about going to the human resources manager to discuss issues such as this one. Employees may feel vulnerable to the whims of the family operation. True or not, they may believe their employment status is more tenuous and family members have more clout. Or, they may have favorite family members whom they don’t wish to “throw under the bus.”
In many ways it’s as if you, too, are a member of the family and are conforming to its dysfunction.
Thoughts:
Rock LaManna helps label and graphics company owners make better decisions. If you are ready to sell your business or improve your bottom line, integrity matters! Email Rock@RockLaManna.com for a confidential discussion about services available from the LaManna Consulting Group.
A: Families sure have interesting dynamics, don’t they? Do you think these family members are aware of their behavior? Do they know it bothers you? And, if so, do they care?
In my experience, employees of family businesses are often unsure about going to the human resources manager to discuss issues such as this one. Employees may feel vulnerable to the whims of the family operation. True or not, they may believe their employment status is more tenuous and family members have more clout. Or, they may have favorite family members whom they don’t wish to “throw under the bus.”
In many ways it’s as if you, too, are a member of the family and are conforming to its dysfunction.
Thoughts:
- Encourage the owners to bring in a family business expert or business advisor to assess and create a plan.
- Speak to an advisor or counselor outside the company to be heard and validated before you take your issue to someone inside the company.
- Write down your observations in a dispassionate way. Use non-threatening “me” and “I” phrases rather than accusatory phrases such as “you always” or “you never.” Separate your personal feelings and biases from the situation. Here's an example: “When I talk on the phone to customers, they can hear people arguing in the background,” or “I feel we appear unprofessional when vendors are in the building and they can hear angry yelling.”
- Take things slowly. By “accepting” this behavior over a period of time, you have unfortunately made it more likely a family member will say something like, “Why are you bringing this up now?” or “This never bothered you before.”
Rock LaManna helps label and graphics company owners make better decisions. If you are ready to sell your business or improve your bottom line, integrity matters! Email Rock@RockLaManna.com for a confidential discussion about services available from the LaManna Consulting Group.