“My father and I used to get on well and work together very efficiently.
Everything changed when we started discussing his retirement and formalising my ascension to the CEO position. I think he felt that I was taking power away from him, literally, as if I were stealing it. It was very complicated between us for several months. There was undoubtedly a lot of pain for him. For me, too, I was caught between the guilt of causing him pain and the certainty that going back would be even worse.”
Succession is often perceived as a difficult process because it involves two generations, two histories, two sometimes different visions and two rhythms that can be difficult to reconcile.
Undoubtedly, this encounter is even more complex in a family business, where emotional ties can become overwhelming and make rational and collective decision-making almost impossible – even though everyone around the table regularly demonstrates this ability in other contexts. In such cases, governance can grind to a halt, relationships can suffer and the overall atmosphere in both the business and the family can deteriorate.
With this in mind, how do we approach succession?
How do we ensure that we can move forward together?
How can we reconcile if the relationship has become strained?
How can we ensure the continuity of the family business despite the challenges?
Is intergenerational conflict inevitable in succession?
Does the passing of the torch have to burn us to make it happen?
In this webinar we will analyse several cases of succession, offering perspectives from both the handing over and the taking over. We will explore these unique issues to gain insights into what happens during family succession, draw inspiration, ask questions and open up possible pathways with practical ideas and actions.
Practical information
The webinar will be held in French.
Speaker: Clémence Jacques-Mellerio, expert in governance, human dynamics and family relations
Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024, 10:30 – 12:00
Location: Online via Livestorm
