Resources for Family Business Leaders
Curated insights, articles, and recommended reading to support your family business journey.
Building Your Family Business Knowledge
Leading a family business requires continuous learning. The challenges evolve as your business grows and your family expands across generations. Staying current on best practices, emerging research, and proven frameworks helps you navigate these transitions successfully.
We've curated resources that we've found most valuable in our decades of work with family businesses. These aren't generic business resources—they're specifically focused on the unique dynamics of family enterprise.
Recommended Reading
These books have proven valuable for family business leaders at different stages:
Foundational Reading
"Generation to Generation: Life Cycles of the Family Business" by Kelin Gersick, John Davis, Marion McCollom Hampton, and Ivan Lansberg
The seminal work on family business development across generations. Essential reading for understanding predictable patterns and developmental stages.
"Family Business as Paradox" by Joachim Schwass
Explores the inherent tensions in family businesses and how to navigate them successfully. Excellent for understanding that conflict isn't failure—it's normal.
"Family Business Succession: The Final Test of Greatness" by Craig E. Aronoff and John L. Ward
Comprehensive guide to succession planning with practical frameworks and tools. Invaluable for families beginning succession conversations.
Leadership and Governance
"Perpetuating the Family Business: 50 Lessons Learned from Long-Lasting, Successful Families in Business" by John Ward
Distills wisdom from families who have succeeded across multiple generations. Short, practical lessons based on extensive research.
"Family Governance: Maximizing Family and Business Potential" by Craig E. Aronoff and John L. Ward
Practical guide to establishing family councils, boards, and governance structures appropriate to family complexity.
Communication and Relationships
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families" by Stephen R. Covey
While not specifically about family business, Covey's principles on family communication and relationship building are invaluable for business families.
"Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most" by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen
Essential skills for navigating the tough conversations that family businesses inevitably face. Practical frameworks from Harvard Negotiation Project.
Next Generation Perspectives
"Myths and Mortals: Family Business Leadership and Succession Planning" by Dennis T. Jaffe
Addresses the psychological dimensions of succession with special attention to next-generation development.
"Borrowed from Your Grandchildren: The Evolution of 100-Year Family Enterprises" by Dennis T. Jaffe
Profiles families who have sustained businesses across multiple generations, revealing patterns of success.
Strategic Thinking
"The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber
Critical reading about working on your business rather than in it. Helps families transition from founder-driven operations to sustainable systems.
"Good to Great" by Jim Collins
While not family business-specific, the Level 5 Leadership concept and Hedgehog Concept are particularly relevant for family businesses navigating succession and strategy.
Key Insights and Articles
On Succession Planning
"The Succession Conspiracy"
Why succession planning is so hard and how to overcome the psychological barriers that cause delay. Many founders sabotage succession unconsciously—understanding these patterns helps families address them proactively.
"When Your Parents Sign the Paychecks"
Guidance for next-generation family members on building credibility, managing relationships with senior generation, and developing authentic leadership voice.
On Family Governance
"Creating Your Family Council"
Practical guide to establishing family councils including charter templates, meeting agendas, and common pitfalls to avoid.
"The Role of Outside Directors"
How outside directors transform family business performance and governance. Includes guidance on recruiting, compensating, and working effectively with outside board members.
On Conflict and Communication
"The Cost of Avoiding Conflict"
Why conflict avoidance—common in family businesses—creates larger problems over time, and how to develop healthy conflict resolution capabilities.
"Fair Versus Equal"
Navigating the critical distinction between treating family members fairly (considering contribution, capability, and circumstances) versus equally (identical treatment regardless of differences).
On Compensation
"Best Practices in Family Business Compensation"
Frameworks for creating compensation systems that balance market rates, contribution, family needs, and fairness. Includes sample policies.
On Next Generation Development
"Preparing for Another Generation of Success"
Comprehensive framework for next-generation development including education, experience, mentoring, and gradual responsibility transfer.
On Strategic Planning
"Structuring the Deal: Options for Succession"
Overview of different succession structures including outright gifts, sales to next generation, leveraged buyouts, trusts, and hybrid approaches. Helps families understand options before committing to a path.
External Resources and Organizations
Family Firm Institute (FFI)
The premier professional organization for family business advisors globally. Their website offers articles, research, and resources on all aspects of family enterprise. Visit FFI
Family Business Magazine
Leading publication covering family business topics with practical articles, case studies, and insights from families and advisors. Visit Family Business Magazine
Wharton Global Family Alliance
Research center at Wharton School offering education programs, research publications, and resources for family businesses. Visit Wharton Family Business
Conway Center for Family Business
Ohio-based family business center offering programs, resources, and research particularly valuable for multi-generational family enterprises. Visit Conway Center
How to Use These Resources
The volume of available resources can be overwhelming. Here's how to approach your family business education:
Start Where You Are
Choose resources that address your current stage and challenges. If you're a founder beginning to think about succession, start with succession planning resources. If you're a next-generation leader stepping into leadership, focus on next-generation and leadership transition materials.
Read Together
Consider having family members read the same book or article and discuss it together. Shared vocabulary and frameworks facilitate family conversations.
Apply What You Learn
Don't just consume information—apply it. After reading about family councils, draft a charter. After learning about compensation systems, evaluate your current approach. Application creates value.
Seek Professional Guidance
Resources provide frameworks, but applying them to your specific situation benefits from professional guidance. Use resources to educate yourself, then engage advisors to help customize solutions.
Stay Connected
Family business best practices continue to evolve. Stay connected with the Delaware Valley Family Business Center to receive updates on new resources, upcoming programs, and insights from our work with family businesses.