Cada empresa familiar es un organismo vivo: tiene historia, heridas, sueños y ritmos propios. No hay fórmulas universales, solo caminos que deben recorrerse con conciencia, autenticidad y voluntad.
In the family business, knowledge abounds: books, workshops, consultants, protocols. But there is a truth that uncomfortable and that few dare to look straight ahead: the transformation does not happen to know what to do, but for daring to do it. Having the recipe is not enough if no one is willing to take medicine. And in many cases, the problem is not the lack of diagnosis, but the lack of will to heal.
It is not about having the perfect recipe, but about having the courage to take it when it is most needed.
In training spaces for family businesses, concepts such as protocol, succession, corporate governance, independent advice are repeated. All of that is valuable. But there is something that is usually forgotten: the rules without reflection become rigid, and soulless models fail.
Each business family has its own diagnosis. Some need structure; others, heal wounds before building. Some have capital, but not conversation. Therefore, copying without adapting is like taking the medicine of another without knowing if your body needs.
True transformation does not occur in paper, but in practice. It is not enough to study the best practices if they are not landed in the emotional, cultural and strategic field of each family. An unused tool is just ornament. A rule without context, only noise.
Deep work is personal and contextual
The responsibility of the change is not in the consultant, neither in the model, nor in the protocol. It is in each family member who decides to act from their reality, with intention and courage.
A family that accumulates theory, but postpones decisions, ends up trapped in the illusion of knowledge. Family leadership demands something deeper: discernment, self -knowledge and conscious action.
It is not about knowing what should be done, but to dare to do it in your own context. Because there is no perfect model, only imperfect decisions made with intention.
“Listen to tips does not transform; apply them with authenticity, yes.”
Why don’t you take medicine?
Many family businessmen invest in advice, but not in will. They pay for diagnosis, but avoid treatment. They listen to advice, but do not apply them. And there is the real obstacle: the tips are not collected, they apply. There begins the real change.
The maturity of a family business is not measured by what he knows, but by what he dares to apply. Good practices do not work if they apply as recipes; They need soul, fine adjustment and commitment.
Practical application: How to take medicine?
Taking medicine implies three specific acts:
1) Recognize the symptom: What is failing to family or business dynamics? What conversations are avoided?
2) Accept the treatment: What uncomfortable decisions should be made? What habits should change
3) Execute with discipline: Who undertakes to lead the change? How will progress be measured?
For example, if the diagnosis indicates lack of communication between generations, medicine can be to create a monthly space for intergenerational dialogue. But if no one scheduled, facilitates or respects it, the recipe is in the drawer.
Another case: If a family protocol is recommended, but the key members are not emotionally involved, the document will be dead letter. The recipe serves, but only if it adapts to the body and is taken with discipline.
In each family business there is accumulated wisdom, but also different wounds, styles and times. The key is not to follow formulas, but in reading, understanding, adapting and applying. Because only when decisions are aligned with identity and environment, the transformation begins to make sense … and results.
The correct medicine does not cure if nobody takes it. And sometimes, the problem is not the disease … but the fear of healing.
“Knowledge is power … but only if applied.” Give Carnegie
About the author:
Twitter: @mariorizofiscal
The opinions expressed are only the responsibility of their authors and are completely independent of the position and the editorial line of Forbes Mexico.
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