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.