Punishment, Reward, Control: How Money Shows Up in the Business Family

Abstract

In popular culture, the portrayal of family businesses in movies and TV shows, such as Ridley Scott’s "House of Gucci" or HBO’s "Succession," often revolves around the pursuit of wealth and the conflicts it incites. However, this depiction only scratches the surface of the complex dynamics at play within these families. Those of us who work with multigenerational business families can likely share a wealth of stories on how money enables families to build communities and change history through courageous investments, yet also how money can complicate family relationships and decision-making processes, fuel family conflicts, and bring to life an array of emotions ranging from shame to love.