Jul 15, 2024
This forum featured guest experts Natasha Silverbell and Jane
Mintz, along with our host Chris
Yonker, CFBA to discuss mental health and addiction in the context
of personal development
and family dynamics. We emphasized the importance of not merely
labeling behaviors but
understanding their impacts on families and businesses. Our
discussion highlighted the need
for empathy, open communication, and self-regulation, stressing
that everyone—from family
members to business advisors—plays a crucial role in supporting
healing and improvement.
Overall, our focus was on taking personal responsibility for
wellness and the transformative
power of supportive communities.
Understanding Beyond Labels
We discussed how crucial it is to not to get hung up on labeling
behaviors
simply as "addiction" but to look deeper at how these behaviors
impact
personal relationships and business environments. Finding the right
help to
get your family on a path of open and empathetic communication can
help
address the root causes and effects on a family or organizational
system.
The Role of Self-Regulation
Self-regulation emerged as a key theme, with emphasis on its
importance
not just in overcoming personal challenges but also in fostering
healthy
family and business dynamics. Managing one’s emotional responses
can
greatly influence the overall health of relationships and
professional
interactions.
Crafting Your Suppor System
Building and maintaining a strong support system is vital not
only to
individuals, but the family as a whole. This system should
include
professionals, advisors, family members, and peers who can
offer
guidance and support through challenges, particularly those related
to
mental health and addiction. We also talked about what advisors
could
do to find the right help for their clients when there is a complex
or
sensitive challenge outside of their scope.
1. Prioritize Empathy in Communication:
Emphasize the importance of understanding and empathetic
communication within family and
business interactions to address and resolve underlying issues more
effectively.
2. Encourage Regular Mental Health Check-ins:
Advocate for routine mental health assessments within family
businesses to identify and address issues early, before they
escalate into more significant problems.
3. Implement Self-Regulation Practices:
Find professionals to provide training on self-regulation
techniques for family members and
business leaders to help manage stress, improve personal
resilience, and foster a more supportive working
environment.
4. Establish a Strong Support Network:
Encourage the formation or strengthening of a support network that
includes mental health
professionals, experienced advisors, and peer support groups to
provide necessary resources and assistance.
5. Foster a Culture of Openness and
Non-Judgment:
Work towards creating an environment where family members and
business partners feel safe to express their concerns and
challenges without fear of judgment, thereby promoting
transparency and trust.
The next Family Business Executive Forum, Closing the Gap and
Creating Your Most
Impactful Company Culture: How Family Leaders Can Work Together to
Weave Innovation and
Legacy Even When You’re At a Generational Standstill, takes place
on June 25th at 12pm ET. Visit here to register.
Connect with:
Jane Mintz: Janemintz.com
Natasha Silver Bell: Silverbellglobal.com
Chris Yonker: Chrisyonker.com