Julie shares her experience not only for family businesses but for leading people and enterprises. What drives her matters for family leaders. She does not want to be the one that fucked it up. She learned the embroilment of family businesses because of so many emotions of all kinds starting from envy. I guess that is why it is so important for her to be data driven, content driven, and not DRIVEN BY FORM to excuse the weakness of content or to distract, as I am sure we all have seen and are seeing all too often.

One of the aspects of our ROP culture is where content that challenges is dispersed by form or some other clumsy excuse.

Data-Driven Culture – her thoughts are Keep At It.

Have you ever been fired? It is humiliating, it is shameful and embarrassing. What a teacher it is. It is worth it. I, Endika, have been fired. Protecting the weak and non-performing individuals is doing them harm. They do not learn.

To her, professionalism is about self-reflection, the willingness to self-correct and being authentic. Veritas. The truth and nothing but. Our ROP culture is one of omission when someone’s ego may be bruised or tarnished. Think of the harm done to individuals whose reputation is not at risk. They never grow up.

Julie lists the ingredients for a successful family business.

1. Family Values and Unwritten Rules
2. The Desire For Continuity And The Willingness To Pursue
3. Understanding Of Markets, Industry & The Changing Needs Of The Customer
4. Legal Documents & Succession Plans
5. The Foresight & Wisdom To Turn Over The Running Of The Business To Professionals
6. The Financial Philosophy of the Business And The Family
7. Counselors, Advisors, & Mentors That Need To Be Listened To
8. The Recognition Of Fragility, The Need For Humility, & The Appreciation Of Those Who Have Contributed To Our Success

She ends with 13 takeaways:

1. Resentment Sucks
2. Exceed Even Your Own Expectations
3. Leave The Family Baggage At The Door
4. Do Not Be Intimidated By What You Do Not Know
5. Before You Hire, Think Once, Twice, and Thrice
6. Forget About Work-Life Balance
7. Change Is Your Friend
8. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH TRUTH TELLERS
9. Think Two Steps Ahead
10. Sweat The Details
11. Be A Governor. Think Smartly About Business Governance Issues
12. Remember You Are Also A Person
13. Be Authentic