Mistakes help future leaders to learn

Some degree of failure and disappointment is necessary in talent development. If it’s too dangerous or threatening for next-generation members to show vulnerability or make a mistake, how will they develop the full measure of their skills? If you communicate to family members that failure is not an option, you may stifle their willingness or ability to take healthy risks.

A culture where people are rewarded for being vulnerable, asking for help and even making mistakes is one where learning and development is richer. Because family employees’ mistakes and failures may be more public than others’, it is particularly important that they be encouraged to face this risk. Embracing the value of learning from mistakes will lead to a better and more competent family employee in the long run.