Learning Labs
Intensive professional development programs designed specifically for family business leaders at different career stages.
Why Learning Labs?
Traditional executive education programs don't address the unique challenges family business leaders face. Generic leadership training doesn't prepare you for navigating the complexity of working with parents, siblings, and cousins while managing employees and stakeholders.
Our Learning Labs fill this gap with programs specifically designed for family business contexts. These intensive cohort-based programs combine expert education, skill development, peer learning, and practical application.
Our Learning Lab Programs
Next Generation Learning Lab
Our flagship program for rising family business leaders prepares next-generation members for the responsibilities they'll assume. This six-month cohort program meets monthly for full-day sessions covering essential family business leadership topics.
Who should attend: Next-generation family members currently in the business or likely to join, typically ages 25-45, serious about developing leadership capability.
Program benefits:
- Clarity about your role and future in the family business
- Confidence to step into leadership responsibilities
- Practical skills for navigating family business challenges
- Peer network of trusted advisors facing similar situations
- Renewed energy and commitment to the family enterprise
Learn more about next-generation development →
Leadership Transition Lab
For family business leaders in active transition—either stepping into leadership roles or stepping back from them—this program addresses the specific challenges of transition periods.
Topics include:
- Managing the psychology of letting go or stepping up
- Communication strategies during transition
- Building credibility as a new leader
- Delegating effectively as a transitioning leader
- Navigating relationship changes during transition
- Planning for life after leadership transition
Sibling Partnership Lab
Working in partnership with siblings creates unique opportunities and challenges. This program helps sibling teams develop the communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills essential for successful partnership.
Topics include:
- Designing effective sibling partnership structures
- Clarifying roles and decision rights
- Developing partnership communication skills
- Managing sibling conflict constructively
- Including and excluding siblings fairly
- Preparing for the next generation together
Ownership Education Lab
For family shareholders who aren't active in business operations, this program builds ownership competence and engagement. Well-educated owners become advocates for the business rather than sources of conflict.
Topics include:
- Understanding your role as a responsible owner
- Reading and interpreting financial statements
- Ownership governance structures and processes
- Strategic thinking about long-term business direction
- Dividend policy and reinvestment decisions
- Preparing the next generation of owners
Women in Family Business Lab
Women in family businesses often face unique challenges related to gender dynamics, particularly in traditionally male-dominated industries or families. This program creates space for women family business leaders to address these challenges with peers who understand.
Topics include:
- Navigating gender dynamics in family business
- Building credibility and authority
- Work-life integration strategies
- Developing your leadership voice and style
- Managing family expectations and assumptions
- Creating inclusive family business cultures
Our Learning Approach
Cohort-Based Learning
All our Learning Labs use cohort-based formats where a small group progresses through the program together. This creates peer relationships, enables confidential sharing, builds accountability, and compounds learning over time.
Expert Instruction
Sessions include presentations from leading family business consultants, psychologists, attorneys, financial advisors, and industry experts. These experts provide cutting-edge frameworks and practical tools.
Interactive Skill Development
Learning Labs aren't lecture-based—they're interactive workshops where you practice skills, work through case studies, and apply concepts to your actual situations.
Peer Discussion
Significant time is devoted to confidential peer discussion where participants share challenges, offer advice, and learn from each other's experiences. These peer discussions are often the most valuable aspects of the programs.
Practical Application
Between sessions, participants apply learnings to their family business situations and report back on results. This action learning approach ensures concepts translate into real change.
Ongoing Connection
Lab cohorts often maintain relationships long after programs end, creating lasting peer advisory networks.
Program Format
Duration
Most Learning Labs run 4-6 months with monthly sessions. This extended timeframe allows for learning, application, reflection, and adjustment—creating lasting capability rather than temporary inspiration.
Session Length
Individual sessions typically run full days (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) to allow for deep dive on topics and meaningful peer discussion without rushing.
Location
Sessions are held at professional conference facilities that create productive learning environments away from daily work distractions.
Cohort Size
We limit cohorts to 12-18 participants to ensure quality discussion and relationship building. Small cohorts create intimacy and trust that enable authentic sharing.
Commitment Required
Learning Labs require commitment to attend all sessions, participate actively in discussions, complete between-session work, and maintain confidentiality. The value compounds through consistent participation.
What Participants Say
"The Next Generation Learning Lab gave me confidence I didn't know I needed. I went from feeling uncertain about my role to being clear about my path and ready to lead. The peer connections alone were worth it—I still call my cohort members regularly."
— Third-generation family business leader
"As a woman stepping into leadership in our male-dominated industry, I felt isolated. The Women in Family Business Lab connected me with others facing similar challenges. I learned practical strategies and gained the confidence to claim my authority."
— Second-generation CEO
"My siblings and I were struggling with decision-making and conflict. The Sibling Partnership Lab gave us frameworks and communication tools that transformed how we work together. It probably saved our family business."
— Sibling partner in second-generation manufacturing business
Join a Learning Lab
If you're ready to invest in your development as a family business leader, we invite you to explore our Learning Lab programs. The skills you build and relationships you form can transform both your effectiveness and your experience in your family business.
Programs are offered throughout the year with rolling enrollment. Contact us to learn about upcoming cohorts and which program best fits your needs.