Why Your Company Is NOT A Family

Read on Website
Read Time: 3 minutes

Welcome to the Tuesday Trailblazer, my weekly newsletter delivering actionable insights from my personal experiences and 15+ years in leadership.

Today we’ll talk:

• How to build a professional, thriving team.

• The dangers of the “family” analogy in the workplace.

• Why it’s important to see your company as a team, not a family.

• How to ensure your team is focused on growth and accountability.

The Great Debate: Team vs. Family

Picture this: You're at work, and someone says,
"We're all one big happy family here!"

Sounds cozy, right? But hold on a second!
Let's hit the pause button and think about this.

Is your workplace really a family, or should it be something else entirely?

Spoiler Alert: Your company isn't a family.
It's a team.
And here's why that's a game-changer.

Why Teams Rock and Families...
Well, They Rock Too, But Differently

Families are awesome. They're full of love, support, and sometimes a bit of chaos. But when it comes to work, we need a different kind of awesome.

We need strategy, accountability, and growth.

That's where teams come in. Teams are all about working together towards a common goal, with clear roles and responsibilities.

No blurred lines, no favouritism, just pure teamwork.

The Family Culture Toll

In 2014, I got to lead and open a brand-new store.
I poured my heart and soul into it, treating my team like family.

But guess what? It backfired.

Big time.

My team felt pressured to put work above their personal lives,
and I became the boss they feared. Oops!

Joshua Luna specifies three ways a familial culture can harm employees.

1. Blurred personal and professional lines

2. An exaggerated sense of loyalty

3. An uneven power dynamic

Blurred Lines

When companies see themselves as families, employees often struggle to set work-life boundaries. They might feel pressured to let work invade their personal time, as family commitments typically have no limits.

Exaggerated Loyalty

Family-style loyalty at work can lead to unrealistic expectations of going above and beyond. This can result in exploitation and even unethical behaviour, as employees might feel compelled to cover up wrongdoings to protect the "family."

Uneven Power Dynamic

In a familial workplace culture, roles can become skewed, with employers acting like parents and employees like children. This dynamic can foster implicit biases and leave employees feeling powerless.

So, whilst calling your company a family might sound nice, it can cause problems like burnout and unfair favouritism inside your business.

Your team needs clear boundaries and chances to grow.

To succeed, leaders should keep things professional and understand that work is different from family.

Here’s why you shouldn’t refer to your team as a family and how to build a professional, thriving team instead:

Lessons Learned: How to Build a Thriving Team

Here are six golden nuggets I discovered on my journey from family-style chaos to team-based triumph:

1. Blurred Work-Life Boundaries:

   What: Calling your team a family can mess with work-life harmony.

   Impact: Clear boundaries prevent burnout & protect time

   How: Encourage breaks and respect personal time.
   

2. Committed Employees Feel Burnt Out:

   What: The "family" vibe can make teams feel always on call.

   Why: Burnout impacts mental wellbeing and performance.

   How: Lead by example and enjoy life outside of work.
   

3. Promotions Based on Connections:

   What: In families, favouritism can sneak in.

   Why: It demotivates and disengages top teams.

   How: Base promotions on merit, not connections.
   

4. Lack of Accountability:

   What: Families forgive; teams hold accountable.

   Why: Accountability drives growth.

   How: Provide constructive feedback and set clear expectations.
   

5. Unrealistic Expectations:

   What: Family loyalty can lead to unrealistic sacrifices.

   Why: It pressures employees unfairly.

   How: Set realistic expectations and prioritise wellbeing.
   

6. Employees Pressured to Neglect Personal Life:

   What: Team members might sacrifice personal time.

   Why: Personal well-being fuels long-term success.

   How: Encourage a healthy work-life integration.
   

Next time someone says, “our company is a family,” remember:

You already have a family.
You need a professional team.

Make sure to find it and cultivate it.

Lead with impact, not busy.
Until next Tuesday,

I have built and led teams across 3 successful businesses and have over 15 years of people and business leadership experience.

Over the past 4 years, I have grown my business working with “busy” leaders across multiple industries (retail, hospitality, construction, mining, education) and helped them simplify their leadership.

Igniting their impact in leadership and at home.

Let me share my insights and help you:

• Reclaim your time

• Prioritise your wellbeing

• Achieve work/life harmony

• Improve customer centricity

• Connect & elevate team culture

• Simplify your leadership beyond busy

• Building a bench and plan for your successors

Book A 1hr Leadership Coaching Session Here

Download today’s PDF here

If you we’re forwarded this email, subscribe and get my
FREE 5 day “unglorify busy” email course here