Stop Assuming They All Want It: Getting Clear on ‘The Who’

14/10/2025 1h 3min Episodio 65
Stop Assuming They All Want It: Getting Clear on ‘The Who’

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Episode Synopsis

Who’s next?It’s one of the most powerful—and loaded—questions in any family business transition. In this episode, Transition Guides Marcy McNeil and Deborah Davis unpack “The Who,” a cornerstone of the Transition Compass, and reveal why clarity around ownership, leadership, and stewardship is the true foundation of a successful transition.They share how honest conversations about readiness, desire, and alignment help families move from assumption to shared understanding—and how even uncomfortable truth can bring freedom when it’s named with empathy. Whether you’re the current owner, the rising generation, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you see that “The Who” is not just about roles—it’s about relationship, purpose, and legacy.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Why “The Who” is the emotional heartbeat of transition planningHow to separate ownership from leadership—and why that distinction mattersWhat to do when no one (or everyone) wants to be nextHow Transition Guides help families talk about readiness and callingReal-world stories of clarity, relief, and breakthrough momentsThe surprising gift of hearing, “Maybe it’s not me—and that’s okay”🔗 Connect with The Transition StrategistsWebsite: https://transitionstrategists.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetransitionstrategistsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transitionstrategists/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transitionstrategistsElizabeth Ledoux: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethledoux/Schedule a Discovery Call: https://transitionstrategists.com/discovery🕓 Chapters in This Episode00:00 Introduction to “The Who” on the Transition Compass01:35 Why the People Question Is the Hardest One04:25 Founders’ Fears: Letting Go of the Reins08:10 Successor Assumptions and Honest Conversations11:45 When Ownership and Leadership Aren’t the Same16:50 Real Client Stories: Relief in Naming the Truth21:15 The Role of a Guide in Surfacing Readiness25:30 The Emotional Shift from Control to Collaboration30:05 How to Begin Exploring Your “Who” as a Family34:20 Key Takeaways & Where to Learn More

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