Week 93: I'm not working for a family-owned business

Week 93: March 21, 2026

I'm not working for a family-owned business - what can I learn from one?

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Every year, there is a handful of MBAs who plan to return to their family business after graduation.

However, family businesses can impart important lessons for all MBAs - after all, you may end up working for a family-owned business someday, or starting a business of your own that you bring family members into. Even if not, these organizations can provide interesting and insightful takeaways that can be applied to just about any business: after all, the challenges of organizational politics are universal!

The 100 Week Sprint team

To-do's this week

Got 5 minutes? Identify what you want to establish as your area of expertise in order to establish credibility upon starting a new job.

Got 30 minutes? Make notes on any questions you may have had in previous positions about your role and/or potential path in order to be prepared for any similar questions going forward.

Got an hour? Network your way to someone with significant experience in a family business and ask him or her about what lessons you might bring into your upcoming career.

Be clear on your role

Many family businesses hit snags due to conflicts over who will be taking on which responsibilities - and more often than not, those conflicts could have been resolved with clearer communication, but because they are not addressed early on, they fester and grow into bigger issues. Before you start any job, make sure you are clear on not only your title, but your specific responsibilities, who you report to, and who reports to you.

Be clear on your path

Another issue we often see arises when an employee's current role is clear - but his or her future path is not. In any new position, you should sit down with your superior and define your anticipated career trajectory and projections. If the organization's leadership hasn't thought through where you might go after your current position, you could be in for several long years.

Establish credibility early

We often hear from individuals in family-owned businesses that they have trouble getting their family members to recognize them as responsible adults. This can be an issue for any new hire, especially one who may be younger than some (or all) of his or her coworkers. Nip this issue in the bud by establishing your credibility early - step up and spearhead a major project that allows you to prove your expertise in a particular subject matter. Making yourself the go-to person for a specific topic is one of the best ways to establish your credibility early on.

Understand the financials

Whether it's a family business or any business, you should always have a handle on the organization's financial situation. Understanding the company's expenses, debt load, margins, and other financial details will help you not only make better business decisions, it will also help you have a better eye on the organization's long-term plans and prospects.

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