Rich relationships are the real family jewels. You need to be clear on what your jewels are as you are doing your succession planning. What do you owe your kids?
What will you do when you retire? It’s a question that doesn’t make much sense to most farmers since the plan is typically to go with the boots on. When we consider the word retirement it forces us to examine some very core self-perceptions.
For children playing in a sandbox disagreement often results flinging sand at everyone and everything. One way to avoid sandbox behaviour in the farm business is to establish a Family Code of Conduct.
It is through your voice that you have personal power – the power to be heard, to be understood, to make a difference, to move into friendships. John Fast explains that finding your voice is important in order to negotiate for what you truly believe is right and fair.
The number one reason Dad has trouble making the changes to the business model desired by the next generation is because of Dad’s fear the new generation will run the farm better than he did.
“Please fix our daughter-in-law!” According to Dr. John Fast this is a very common complaint in farm businesses and a most convenient person to blame when things are not going well.