Introduction

In the unique landscape of family-owned businesses, balancing familial relationships with sound corporate practices is paramount for ensuring long-term sustainability, intergenerational succession, and continued prosperity. These enterprises face distinct ethical and leadership challenges, from managing family dynamics and ownership transitions to attracting non-family talent and professionalizing operations while upholding core values. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip current and aspiring leaders, family members, and advisors with the essential frameworks and practical strategies to foster both family harmony and business excellence through ethical leadership.

This 5-day intensive program will empower participants to cultivate a deep understanding of family governance models, master ethical decision-making, and refine their ability to lead with clarity and fairness across the family, ownership, and business spheres. You will learn to establish clear ethical boundaries, manage conflicts constructively, and build resilient structures that support growth while preserving family values and ensuring responsible stewardship. By mastering these critical competencies, you will enhance your capacity to navigate the complexities of family business, ensure smooth transitions, and secure a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Family Business Owners and Leaders
• Next-Generation Family Members entering the business
• Non-Family Executives in Family Businesses
• Board Members (Family and Independent)
• Family Office Professionals
• Wealth Advisors and Estate Planners
• Legal Counsel specializing in Family Business
• Consultants to Family Businesses
• Aspiring Entrepreneurs from Family Backgrounds
• Anyone involved in the governance or succession of a family enterprise

Objectives

• Understand the unique ethical and leadership challenges in family-owned businesses.
• Develop a strategic framework for integrating ethics across family, ownership, and business.
• Master techniques for effective family communication and conflict resolution.
• Learn to design and implement robust ethical guidelines for family employment and succession.
• Cultivate skills in establishing independent boards and advisory committees with ethical oversight.
• Enhance transparency and accountability within the family business structure.
• Understand the role of family constitutions and shareholder agreements in upholding ethics.
• Develop strategies for managing wealth and philanthropic endeavors ethically.
• Create a personalized action plan for championing ethics and leadership in your family business.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Ethical & Leadership Landscape of Family Business

• Defining the unique ethical considerations in family-owned businesses.
• Understanding the interplay between family values, business goals, and ethical conduct.
• Exploring common ethical dilemmas unique to family enterprises.
• The role of leadership in setting the ethical tone for the family and the business.
• Case studies of ethical successes and challenges in family businesses.

Module 2: Ethical Decision-Making in Family Contexts

• Applying ethical frameworks to resolve dilemmas involving family members and business interests.
• Addressing conflicts of interest in family employment, compensation, and transactions.
• Understanding the impact of emotional biases on ethical choices within the family.
• Strategies for promoting fairness and impartiality in decision-making.
• Practical exercises in resolving ethical scenarios specific to family businesses.

Module 3: Family Governance and Ethical Protocols

• Establishing a family council or assembly with clear ethical mandates.
• Developing a family constitution or charter that embeds core values and ethical principles.
• Managing family employment policies and compensation for family members ethically.
• Strategies for fostering family unity and shared ethical vision.
• Resolving family disputes and disagreements constructively and ethically.

Module 4: Leadership for Intergenerational Succession

• Ethical considerations in leadership succession planning within a family business.
• Developing next-generation talent with a strong ethical foundation.
• Managing the transition process fairly and transparently.
• The role of mentorship and coaching in ethical leadership development for successors.
• Overcoming emotional and practical barriers to ethical succession.

Module 5: Professionalizing the Family Business Ethically

• Strategies for attracting and retaining non-family talent based on merit and ethics.
• Implementing fair performance management systems and clear career paths for all employees.
• Developing robust financial controls and ethical reporting.
• Fostering a culture of meritocracy, accountability, and integrity.
• Balancing family values with professional management practices and ethical standards.

Module 6: Ethical Oversight and External Governance

• The importance of an effective board of directors or advisory committee for ethical oversight.
• Strategies for recruiting and integrating independent directors for ethical guidance.
• The board's role in overseeing ethical conduct, compliance, and risk management.
• Understanding external ethical expectations from stakeholders and regulators.
• Ensuring transparency and accountability in governance structures.

Module 7: Sustaining Ethical Legacy and Impact

• Defining the family's ethical legacy and its long-term vision.
• Integrating philanthropy and social responsibility into the family business's ethical framework.
• Strategies for continuous learning and adaptation to evolving ethical challenges.
• Building resilience and preparing for future ethical dilemmas.
• Creating a personalized action plan for ensuring the ethical longevity and positive impact of your family business.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.