Edition 495 – Unselfish

I’m working with a family business at the moment, that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for more than three decades. Over the last 10 years, we haven’t seen much of each other, however a reach out last year, has put us on the path of working together to build a business that transitions it not only to a new model, but also enables the next generation to take part.

In this scenario, Dad’s the quiet achiever. They’re builders, and over the years, they’ve contributed to the happiness and memories of hundreds of families, as he’s helped them build the home of their dreams. I’m no tradesman, but there’s no doubt something fulfilling about driving down a road, and seeing the fruits of your labours still forming part of the streetscape, and a family’s lives, today.

As the business pivots, there’s the new opportunity to build someone else’s family’s future, even before that resident family knows that’s where they’re going to make the memories that will form part of their life for the next 10, 20 or 30 years.

With two generations, and six individuals around the table, there’s a lot of great discussion, and some fabulous ideas. However, what I’ve noticed about quiet achievers is they’re measured in their willingness to take on risk. It’s not that they’re risk averse, more they like to see a steady pattern of growth, at the same time as ensuring a buffer sits behind them, in terms of finance, professional capacity and time. I’m personally of the opinion you can only fit so many people on the ferry, and at times, we need to know when to raise the gangway. Dad, in this scenario, is the same.

At one stage in our work together, the conversation turns excitable in terms of the future opportunities. Not excitable, as in raised voices, but as in looking towards the blue sky, and seeing no impediment.

Dad observes for a while, eventually pipes up and makes an admission that comes out of left field. He can see the opportunity in the business, financially, professionally and personally for everyone sitting around the table. However, he’s a little concerned that, if they’re not careful, they’ll become another sausage factory builder – good product, just a bit soulless!

“There’s part of me that still wants to design and build a really nice home, for someone, over the next few years”, Dad says, as he turns the conversation away from future opportunity, to professional gratification. His comment was met with a few murmurs and raised eyebrows around the table.

At this point, I step in. I’ve known Dad for 30 years. We are exactly of the same vintage. I’ve known plenty of family business owners both older and younger than him. Without any hesitation, I announce to the gathering that Dad is the most unselfish business owner that I know. Period! He’s not into toys. There’s very few trinkets. Ostentatious is not his style. Everything, over the years, has been to provide for a family that he loves dearly. He has done it all for them and, most likely in the process, gone without himself. He’s more than a role model – he’s an exemplar.

When you’re building, or remodelling your business, with a focus on “Purpose”, it’s not just about money. There’s 9 other spokes to the wheel, and “Professional” is one of them. Each of us hankers to make a real difference in our lives, and at times, that means doing things that achieve something more fulfilling than inflating the bank account. You see, at heart, Dad is still a craftsman. He’s an artist who has potentially yet to paint the work that most defines his life.

Whatever your objective in business, I can honestly say that if you’re doing work you don’t really love, in the pursuit of money, you might not get to where you want to head. However, if you truly love what it is you do each day, the money objective just might be surpassed.

This Week’s Tip

“If your primary focus in family business is to make money, you’re chasing the wrong goal.”