Managing Emotional Minefields Within Family Businesses

Journal of Family Business Strategy, family business advice, Help with a family business, family business conflict.Adam looked at the customer standing at the counter in the wine cellar in disbelief.He couldn't believe what he was hearing.He found the customer's comments to be slightly rude.Adam felt anger brewing inside of him and thought to himself, "This is MY family's business and I should really show this customer who's the boss here!"Adam, thinking he can do whatever he wants, let his anger out and shouted at the customer to leave his wine cellar.The customer angrily left, and soon Adam heard from his neighbors that word was spreading that members of his family business treat customers poorly.Soon, Adam's wine business had a negative reputation in the nearby community and lost some of the winery's loyal customers who simply stopped their regular visits.