Let's Talk Family Enterprise

In this episode, Aileen Miziolek speaks with renowned facilitator and author Roger Schwarz about the critical roles facilitators and consultants play—especially in complex systems like family enterprises. Roger explores how mutual learning, clear boundaries and transparency can elevate the value professionals bring to their clients, offering practical insights and tools for navigating advisory roles with compassion and clarity.   All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Family Enterprise Canada.   Guest bio Roger M. Schwarz, PhD, is an organizational psychologist and president and CEO of Roger Schwarz & Associates. For more than forty years, he has helped leadership teams and organizations achieve strong performance, solid working relationships, and individual well-being. His work is grounded in the premise that creating fundamental, systemic, and sustainable change requires that individuals, teams, and the larger organization change the mindset that guides their behaviour.   You can learn more about Roger M. Schwarz on LinkedIn and the Roger Schwarz and Associates website.   Key Takeaways [2:03] Aileen Miziolek welcomes Roger M. Schwarz and asks him to share a little bit about his background.   [4:10] Roger starts off sharing the proper definition of a facilitator, and more importantly, what they cannot be.   [6:28] The facilitator and consultant roles intersect and give rise to different possible titles. For Roger, it boils down to one question: What value do you bring to the client?   [9:31] Roger underscores the more obvious traps of the facilitative consultant with a few examples.   [12:06] The decision of which role to play is fraught with challenges, and the first may be a conversation with your client.   [16:31] Engaging a system without becoming enmeshed is critical. Roger talks about boundaries and becoming a mirror.   [18:38] Roger explains the unilateral control approach and mutual learning.   [21:38] The five core values of mutual learning.   [24:24] Roger shares the chess versus puzzle analogy.   [25:40] Many facilitators and consultants often get stuck. Roger offers that they try the transparency test.   [28:42] The role compassion plays in facilitating.   [31:34] Roger tackles an issue he is passionate about: the use of agendas! Or rather, using the purpose and process method.   [34:31] The purpose and process are established right before a meeting, but not so early as to become the meeting itself!   [37:05] Roger shares the story of a good and a bad facilitation.   [44:02] Roger shares who his books are for as well as some of the services and resources his office provides.   [45:55] Aileen thanks Roger Schwarz for sharing so much of his knowledge, and closes this episode by reminding listeners to rate and subscribe.   If you enjoyed today’s episode, you can subscribe to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast apps. Please remember to share this episode with family, friends, and colleagues. Share your thoughts with us at fea@familyenterprise.ca.   Mentioned in this episode Venesa Vasilakeris from McQuaig.com on building better teams. Smart Leaders, Smarter Teams: How You and Your Team Get Unstuck to Get Results, by Roger M. Schwarz The Skilled Facilitator: A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Coaches, and Trainers, by Roger M. Schwarz   More about Family Enterprise Canada Family Enterprise Canada FEC on Facebook FEC on Twitter FEC on LinkedIn

Cindy Radu, a wealth transition expert with over 30 years of experience, discusses essential strategies for families navigating wealth management. She highlights the dangers of siloed decision-making and how it can lead to misalignment in family goals. By using the 'Frankenstein' analogy, Cindy illustrates the complexities of family dynamics and the importance of collaboration. She emphasizes the role of integrated advisors in fostering proactive discussions, ensuring that all family members are engaged in the planning process for a smoother transition across generations.

Philip Marcovici, a retired lawyer and consultant known for advising wealthy families and institutions, shares his insights on maintaining family wealth. He discusses the importance of strategic planning for continuity across generations and the emotional complexities that wealth can introduce to family dynamics. Navigating tax challenges and political risks, he emphasizes the need for open communication within families. Marcovici also explores the transformative potential of wealth when managed thoughtfully, advocating for a proactive approach to legacy building.

Dan Doty, a writer and wilderness guide deeply invested in the global men’s movement, shares insights on fatherhood's evolving role in family business. He discusses transformative wilderness retreats that strengthen father-son bonds, emphasizing the significance of emotional openness. As he critiques traditional masculine norms, Doty advocates for honest dialogue to enhance family interactions. He also delves into generational shifts in work-life balance and the importance of vulnerability in leadership, aiming to inspire fathers to connect more deeply with their children.

Barbara Dartt, a principal consultant with over 20 years in family business advisory, shares her unique journey from veterinary medicine to consulting. She emphasizes the transformative role of ownership in family enterprises and the necessity of engaging all family members in the ownership process. Dartt discusses the challenges of governance, succession planning, and the importance of trust and open communication. The conversation also highlights the power of collaborative advising in successful ownership transitions, aiding families in navigating complex dynamics.

Dr. Jeffrey Foote, a psychologist with over 30 years of experience in addiction treatment, shares insights on how families can support loved ones facing substance use issues. He highlights the importance of compassionate communication and the ‘invitation to change’ model, encouraging open dialogues over stigma. The discussion emphasizes the critical role families play in recovery, promoting understanding rather than detachment. Listeners gain practical tools to foster supportive environments and navigate the complexities of addiction challenges together.

Regular hosts Steve Legler and Aileen Miziolek discuss some of their favourite guests and insights from the 2024 episodes of the Let's Talk Family Enterprise podcast. Hear them share their greatest takeaways to bring back good memories and encourage listeners to subscribe for more!   Welcome to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.   All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Family Enterprise Canada.   Key Takeaways [:26] Steve Legler and co-host Aileen Miziolek welcome listeners to the annual episode review! They each share their most impactful moments from 2024’s great list of guests.   [2:15] Aileen and Steve share their thoughts on her discussion with Perry Gladstone in terms of what identity brings to a business, and why dreaming together can help bring the rising generation into the fold.   [10:05] Episode 57 with Peter Vogel had one takeaway jump right out to Steve — find your why! Aileen resonates with making sure not everything looks like a nail and they both share how the Family Office Navigator book can help advisors.   [14:02] Pramodita Sharma’s episode 57 inspired Aileen and Steve on multiple levels. One, the rejuvenating potential of sustainability projects, both for businesses and for single actors, and how this field is a way multigenerational family businesses can have a broader world impact.   [21:00] The Happy Inheritor’s author, Thomas Deans, came on as a guest for episode 59. Steve and Aileen share how their long-time friend made their conversation both nourishing and thought-provoking.   [25:31] Episode 50 with Aileen’s colleague Kathy Carol, provided a wealth of information, just as her book offers a multitude of useful tools for advisors; Aileen and Steve share which ones they use.   [28:31] A thoughtful two-guest episode came out just this past December. Aileen shares what tidbits to take away from episode 62 on how not to leave a mess for your inheritors, and opening a conversation on end-of-life matters.   [33:36] Steve and Aileen look to 2025 and their new goals, and close out the year and this episode by inviting listeners to take advantage of the vast resources provided in these podcasts, and remind everyone to rate and subscribe.   If you enjoyed today’s episode, you can subscribe to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast apps. Please remember to share this episode with family, friends, and colleagues. Share your thoughts with us at fea@familyenterprise.ca.   Mentioned in this episode Episode 55: “Rising Gen Innovation and Creativity in Family Business” Episode 57: “The Family Office Navigator” Episode 58: “Sustainability and ESG in Family Enterprises” Episode 59: ​​“Mental Health Impacting Intergenerational Wealth Transfers” Episode 60: “Embracing Polarities to Harmonize Opposites in Enterprising Families” Episode 62: “Estate Planning: Don’t Leave a Mess!”   More about Family Enterprise Canada Family Enterprise Canada FEC on Facebook FEC on Twitter FEC on LinkedIn  

Join Aileen Miziolek as she sits down with Sandy Pollack, author of Don’t Leave a Mess and expert in values-based legacy planning, and Annie Stoneburgh, Death Doula and geriatric care specialist, to discuss the intersection of estate planning, family business transitions and end-of-life care. Discover how open, meaningful conversations can help families navigate these sensitive topics and create a lasting legacy.   Welcome to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.   All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Family Enterprise Canada.   Guest bio Sandy Pollack, CFP, CLU, TEP, FEA, MFA-P founded Trimaran Advisory Group, a firm that goes beyond traditional business and estate planning. She has built an advisory firm based on the understanding that each family business has its own unique set of values and issues. Serving as Principal and Lead Financial Advisor, Sandy advocates for values-based legacy planning — believing that building wealth, and managing wealth are not the same thing.   You can learn more about Sandy Pollack on her LinkedIn and the Trimaran Advisory Group website.   Annie Stoneburgh is the founder of the 2 Steps Ahead consultancy and a professor at George Brown College. She leverages her expertise and passion to raise awareness and educate others on the psychosocial aspects of caring for older adults. Her 30-year career has spanned the entire continuum of geriatric care including Independent Community-based Living, Retirement, and Long-Term Care to Palliative Care.   You can learn more about Annie Stoneburgh on her LinkedIn.   Key Takeaways [:26] Aileen Miziolek welcomes Sandy Pollack, financial and family business transition advisor, and Annie Stoneburgh, Professor at Gorge Brown College and Death Doula to discuss a delicate subject.   [1:47] Sandy explains what drove her to write her book Don’t Leave a Mess.   [3:31] Annie shares how her path led her to study end-of-life care and how she became a Death Doula.   [7:41] The archeology analogy Sandy uses to explain how she approaches and structures estate planning discussions with families.   [11:21] Meeting a family for the first time implies one difficult request from Annie and how hope changes as conversations progress.   [17:06] The advisor’s mindset and their tendency to “silo” can impact end-of-life conversations. Sandy offers ways of digging into deeper conversations.   [20:18] Aileen shares a personal story about navigating the end of her husband’s life and working with a Death Doula.   [23:34] What being the “what if” means for Annie and why leaving your career at the door when it comes to caregiving in end-of-life is critical.   [29:17] Communication (times 3), expectations, and agreement are the key aspects of having a smooth-running family system, especially in the context of a family business transition.   [32:52] The important role facilitators play in processing change.   [34:18] Annie and Sandy share their advice for advisors as well as some reading recommendations.   [38:36] Aileen Miziolek thanks Sandy Pollack and Annie Stoneburgh for sharing so much of their expertise and closes this episode by reminding listeners to rate and subscribe.   If you enjoyed today’s episode, you can subscribe to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast apps. Please remember to share this episode with family, friends, and colleagues. Share your thoughts with us at fea@familyenterprise.ca.   Mentioned in this episode Don’t Leave a Mess!: How to Disaster-Proof Your Family Legacy, by Sandy Pollack Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis, by Samantha Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow   More about Family Enterprise Canada Family Enterprise Canada FEC on Facebook FEC on Twitter FEC on LinkedIn

Steve Beauchesne, CEO of Family Enterprise Canada and co-founder of Beau's Brewery, discusses his transformative journey in family enterprises. He shares insights on building community connections and the vital role of Certified Family Enterprise Advisors. The conversation highlights innovative initiatives to enhance member engagement and accessibility in resources. Listening to his 'old-school punk rocker' side, Steve expresses excitement about future growth and collaboration within the family business sector.

Cathy Carroll, author of Hug of War and founder of Legacy Onward, Inc., shares her insights on navigating the complexities of family businesses. She introduces polarity thinking, a tool that balances opposing forces like love and logic to enhance leadership. Cathy highlights the importance of constructive conversations for resolving conflicts and the value of structured approaches in fostering collaboration. She also reflects on her personal journey from corporate life to executive coaching, and how family dynamics can be transformed through understanding and dialogue.