Family businesses can be incredible. Built on legacy, trust, and shared values, they have the potential to thrive for generations. But there’s one thing that can sink even the strongest family-run company: a family member acting like they’re above the rules.
It happens all too often. A family member working in the business as an employee disagrees with leadership and starts voicing those frustrations to colleagues. They don’t act like an employee—they act like a special case, using their family status as a free pass to undermine authority. And once that kind of talk starts, it spreads like wildfire.
Stay in Your Seat
If you're in the business, you’re in a seat. Maybe it’s payroll, maybe it’s operations, maybe it’s customer service. Whatever it is, that’s your lane. Your job is to add value where you’re assigned—not to armchair quarterback every leadership decision.
Yes, you might have strong opinions. And sure, as family, you may feel a deeper investment in how things are run. But if you don’t hold the authority to make the call, you need to respect the structure. Because when a family member bypasses leadership and starts stirring the pot, the consequences can be disastrous.
The Business Comes First
At the end of the day, your focus shouldn’t be on you—it should be on the greater good of the business. Leadership needs to be able to lead. Employees need to be able to trust that decisions are made by the right people in the right roles. If family members start playing favorites, sowing discord, or questioning authority in front of others, they risk turning the company into a soap opera. Businesses don’t flourish on a diet of drama.
Respect the Chain of Command
Success in a family business comes down to trust and respect. Respect the business structure. Respect the people making decisions. Treat others the way you’d want to be treated if the roles were reversed.
Because the truth is, being family doesn’t make you the boss. Your role is to contribute where you’re placed—not to create division. So know your seat, do your job, and the business will thrive.
