Leadership Tensions in Family-Owned Businesses | The Family Biz Show Ep. 110

In this episode of the Family Biz Show, host Michael Palumbos is joined by executive coach and author Cathy Carroll to explore the emotional and strategic tensions unique to leading a family-owned business. Drawing on personal experience and her new book Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business with Both Love and Logic, Cathy reveals how families can navigate leadership challenges, intergenerational conflict, and complex relationship dynamics with clarity and compassion.

The conversation dives deep into the concept of polarities—opposing truths that both carry value—and how recognizing them can transform everything from governance decisions to estate planning. Cathy and Michael discuss critical tensions like fairness vs. equality, tradition vs. innovation, structure vs. flexibility, and revealing vs. concealing wealth. Through real-life stories, including Cathy’s own journey of working with her father, they unpack how forgiveness, intentional leadership development, and healthy conflict can strengthen families and businesses alike.

 

Takeaways 

• Family businesses must manage emotional and operational polarities—there is rarely one right answer.
• Governance should be structured, but flexible enough to evolve with the family’s needs.
• Fairness doesn’t always mean equality—especially when it comes to compensation and ownership.
• Healthy task conflict can drive innovation, while relationship conflict can destroy trust.
• Estate planning requires balancing transparency with timing and maturity.
• Power dynamics, especially between generations, must be managed with awareness and intention.
• Forgiveness is a leadership tool—starting with yourself and extending to family members.
• Preparing next-generation leaders requires more than a title—it requires mentorship, coaching, and clarity.

 

Chapters: 

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

01:25 – Cathy Carroll's Family Business Background

02:20 – The Challenges of Working for Her Father

06:20 – What “Hug of War” Means in Family Business

08:12 – The Concept of Polarities: Business vs. Family Mindset

10:15 – Domain Crossover Power: Business vs. Family Influence

14:45 – Missed Conversations and End-of-Life Regrets

19:50 – Succession Planning: Equal vs. Equitable

21:10 – Estate Planning: Reveal vs. Conceal

23:55 – Cathy’s Polarity Mapping Tool Explained

28:12 – Independence vs. Interdependence in Family Roles

32:54 – Balancing Tradition and Innovation

35:07 – In-Laws and Inclusion in Governance

39:24 – The Need for Flexible Governance

42:36 – The Role of Forgiveness in Family Business

44:51 – Cathy’s Journey to Self-Compassion and Understanding

47:01 – How to Recognize When You’re in a Polarity, Not a Problem

50:00 – Tools for Navigating Difficult Conversations

52:20 – Cathy’s Final Advice for Family Business Leaders