Talk It Out: How Rising Gens Can Tackle Their Toughest Talks

Honest, effective communication across generations is critical for the success of any family enterprise, yet according to a recent study, more than half of Rising Gens admit they struggle to communicate effectively with their families. This disconnect can lead to unresolved issues that, over time, create tension and impact both family relationships and business operations.

In this webinar, Christina Wing, founder of Wingspan Legacy Partners and senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, will explore how power dynamics, fear of conflict, and concerns about appearing ungrateful contribute to avoiding difficult conversations. The session will provide practical strategies for Rising Gens to address these challenging topics head-on, fostering stronger communication and long-term success in their family businesses.

This webinar will address:

• Actionable Strategies: Practical tools for addressing difficult conversations in family enterprises, especially around sensitive topics such as succession, ownership and family policies.
• Overcoming Communication Barriers: Insights into the power dynamics and psychological obstacles that prevent open communication, including fear of conflict and the desire to avoid appearing ungrateful.
• Real-World Scenarios: Examples of common family enterprise conflicts such as ownership rights, diversification, family employment policies, succession, inheritance, distributions and prenups.
• Expert Guidance: Leverage Christina Wing’s extensive experience catalyzing crucial conversations in family enterprises to address complex issues and navigate them effectively.

Please join Christina Wing, founder of Wingspan Legacy Partners, and David Shaw, Family Business Magazine’s publishing director, as they present ways that Rising Gens can navigate difficult family business conversations.

Date and Time

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
2 PM ET | 11 AM PT
60 minutes

Christina Wing

Founder, Wingspan Legacy Partners

Christina Wing is the founder of Wingspan Legacy Partners, where she helps families navigate the intersections of family dynamics, business operations, wealth and legacy. Christina, who grew up in a family business, brings deep personal experience to her work. She also served as the president of a large single-family office.

Christina is on the faculty of Harvard Business School (HBS), where she chairs the Families in Business executive education program, co-chairs the Rising Generation executive education program and teaches in the Family Office Wealth Management program. She also created the course “Demystifying Families in Business,” which she teaches to MBAs each fall. In addition to her work at HBS, Christina gives speeches around the world, focusing on family enterprises, leadership and navigating life’s different chapters.

David Shaw

Publishing Director, Family Business Magazine

David Shaw is the publishing director for Family Business Magazine. He also co-founded and serves as conference director of the Transitions conferences, the Private Company Governance Summit and the Family Business Legacy conference. David writes frequently on governance issues for public and private companies and develops and maintains close relationships with multi-generational family-owned businesses. He is married, with two grown children.