ABSTRACT
This chapter stimulates thoughts and discussions on the importance of understanding family group dynamics when providing coaching to family owned businesses. The discussion is supported by relevant research evidence, real-life case studies, and a selection of activities, tools and assessments for coaches/coaching practitioners to use in their own practice. This tool is a means of identifying how aligned the individuals, family, and business are with each other. The chapter helps coaches to develop an integrated and inclusive approach to their family business coaching practice. The central feature in coaching a family business is recognition that the coach is delivering coaching to a family as a social unit, independent of business functions. The chapter presents case studies illustrating some of these issues in action, and shows how the timely intervention of a skilled family business coach can be helpful in facilitating the family to turn things around.
