ABSTRACT
As you read the title to this chapter you are probably asking yourself, “What in the world does ethics have to do with getting along in family business?” After all, no one in your family or in your business is involved in shady practices, undercover illegal operations, or immoral acts that violate accepted standards of human decency. But before you put the book down or flip to the next chapter, we suggest you read further because there is a particular type of ethical problem that exists in every family business. It is one of the most frequent sources of conflict and disagreement and is faced, not just occasionally, but routinely. It is the flash point when confrontation happens among differing positions, each of which can be claimed as “right” based on values, beliefs, and priorities that are well accepted but which are in opposition.
