“Family Business” … makes no sense!

Thanks for stopping by, I'm Jon Kenfield, the host of the Family Business Challenge series: "Family Business" ... makes no sense! I share my learnings from almost 3 decades of working as a Solutionist with real Business Families - by exploring 50 of the most common causes of conflict I've dealt with. I also explain how to prevent, avoid, and resolve those conflicts. For every acknowledged problem a solution can be found, or constructed. My goal is to help you make more sense of Family Business, whether you're in one, or trying to advise one or many. 🌐 https://solutionist.com.au/ 🟦 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-solutionist-group/ 🟥 https://www.youtube.com/@thesolutionistgroup/videos ✉️ jonk@solutionist.com.au 📞 0414 816 789

Latest episodes

10 February 2026

Spousal & Partner Influence on Decision-Making

Cause #30

In this episode, I explore how spousal influence can become a powerful force for either stability or conflict in business families. I explain how supportive partners can bring fresh perspective, strengthen the family member they’re with, and reduce tension, while destructive partners can amplify resentment, isolate family members, and even weaponise family dynamics around succession, inheritance, and control. I also outline common spousal roles- protector, interpreter, booster, diplomat, advisor- and the higher-risk patterns such as gold diggers or dominating partners, arguing that the deeper issue is usually the family’s lack of governance. Finally, I share practical strategies to protect both the family and the business: clear family plans, structured governance and policies (including onboarding spouses and binding financial agreements), regular inclusive family forums, early action when warning signs appear, and using independent advisors to handle sensitive issues professionally.

00:00

18:32

03 February 2026

Family Governance - Strategy, Structures, Systems & Skills

Cause #29

In this episode, I explain why strong family governance is one of the most critical foundations for long-term success in business families. I show how governance helps manage the natural tension between the family as an emotional system and the business as a commercial system by replacing assumptions with clarity, structure, and agreed rules. I outline how effective family governance - through clear vision, shared commitment, long-term strategy, family councils, documented systems, and the skills to implement them - prevents conflict, supports succession, and enables families to act as good stewards of their legacy rather than being derailed by unresolved family dynamics.

00:00

23:03

27 January 2026

Avoidance & Denial - Family Conflict in the Business

Cause #28

In this episode, I explore how avoidance and denial quietly undermine family businesses, creating a “slow poisoning” that eventually fuels deep conflict in both the family and the business. I explain the difference between consciously avoiding difficult issues and emotionally denying they exist, and how unresolved tensions go underground, distort trust, and resurface in destructive ways. I also outline why assumptions become dangerous in the absence of clear agreements, and how creating psychological safety, strong family governance, explicit plans, role clarity, and emotionally intelligent leadership can help families surface issues early, replace denial with accountability, and protect long-term relationships and performance.

00:00

15:12

20 January 2026

Succession & Intergenerational Tension | Making Sense of Family Business

Cause #27

In this episode, I explore family succession and intergenerational tension, focusing on why succession in business families so often becomes a catalyst for deep conflict. I explain how lack of clarity, weak governance, generational misalignment, identity issues, and unaddressed sibling resentments undermine effective succession, and why succession should be treated as a long-term process rather than a last-minute event. I also outline how early, transparent conversations, strong family governance structures, clear family plans, and ongoing support for the people involved can reduce fear, build trust, and help families pass on leadership, assets, and legacy in a way that preserves both relationships and long-term prosperity.

00:00

22:06

13 January 2026

Roles, Responsibilities & Boundaries. Authority & Accountability. | Making Sense of Family Business

Cause #26

In this episode, I explain why unclear roles, responsibilities, authority, accountability, and boundaries are among the most common causes of conflict in family businesses. I show how lack of role clarity, boundary confusion between family and business, entitlement, and weak governance create frustration, demotivation, and resentment, especially as businesses grow. I also discuss the importance of clearly defined roles, aligned authority and accountability, strong governance structures, and a culture of accountability rather than blame, so families can create clarity, fairness, and high performance while protecting both relationships and the business.

00:00

19:51

06 January 2026

Family Ethics, Culture & Discipline. Respect for Elders | Making Sense of Family Business

Cause #25

In this episode, I explore how morals, ethics, culture, discipline, and respect for elders intersect to either strengthen or destabilise family businesses. I explain the differences between personal morals and shared ethical standards, how culture reflects what families actually do rather than what they claim to value, and why misalignment across generations often fuels conflict- especially during succession. I also discuss how changing roles of elders, lack of clear rules, and weak governance can erode trust and respect, and why open communication, explicit guidelines, and professional family governance are essential to managing conflict early and keeping both the family and the business healthy.

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13:51