ABSTRACT
Optimally, a family business is an alliance that combines love with a commitment to productive work. Its success depends on the sustained communication and cooperation of people with kinship connections who have widely differing viewpoints, skills, and personality styles. Unfortunately, many family businesses, of whatever size and kind, falter and eventually fail. Instead of providing strength, synergy, and resilience, the "ties that bind" constrict, chafe, and stifle both the people and the enterprise.
