Message to Farm Families: Communicate
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 28, 2009) — Communication is the key to intergenerational farm family success, University of Nebraska professor Ron Hanson emphasized as he addressed attendees of the Cattlemen’s College session Wednesday, Jan. 28. Hanson has worked with farm families in Nebraska on the subject of ranch estate planning and transfer for more than 30 years.
Hanson shared that when multiple generations of a family are working together in business, there are typically different views about decision-making, setting goals and priorities, financial priorities and even time off for vacations. All of these differences — if not addressed by communicating — can lead to family conflicts.
Hanson gave the following list of common mistakes to avoid because they contribute to “family failures:”
- Don’t let a father-son relationship turn into a parent-child relationship. In parent-child relationships, the parent makes all the decisions and this leaves no sense of “partnership” for the younger generation in the family business, Hanson said.
- Don’t do family gossip. If you can’t tell someone face-to-face what you are thinking, don’t tell anyone else, Hanson said. “Gossip leads to misunderstanding and that leads to conflict.”
- Don’t carry a personal grudge. “Tell the person you are angry and the reason why. Get it out and then let it go,” Hanson suggested.
- Don’t let arguments get beyond the boiling point. “Every family has its moments of disagreement,” Hanson said, but “it’s how you deal with those moments that determine if you have a family in harmony or a family in conflict.”
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