Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Marisa Zabalak, Educational Psychologist, TEDx & Keynote Speaker and Author. Conflict should be constructive, but it is difficult for many to see it this way. How can family members understand triggers and reactions, and then find the tools and skills to interact with others in order to move forward positively? How can emotions be used as data to give us feedback on interacting with others without using those emotions to manipulate them? Trust should be earned, especially within a family. It’s not just a given. Marisa’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…get curious about yourself and others. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Moe Vela joins this week's episode with Francesco Lombardo to discuss the power of identity, and how self-expression leads to purpose in family business. Coming from a family of legacy, a family of pioneers, and growing up in the midst of expectation and responsibility, Moe shares with us his journey as a NxtGen living through trauma and moving towards a journey of healing. Moe's advice to all NxtGen listeners is, "you can either live your life based on what others want you to do, or you can march to the beat of your own drum, thereby enhancing and expanding your family legacy."   Moe has now made American History as the first Hispanic LGBT American to serve twice in the White House in a Senior Executive role. Most recently as the Director of Management and Deputy Chief of Staff to Joe Biden. Now working as an attorney, entrepreneur, and now co-executive producing and co-starring in a new business reality show called Unicorn Hunters.    In this soulful dialogue, Francesco and Moe break down the devastating side-effects of living an authentic life and the struggle to embrace oneself wholly. Moe shares his vulnerable story of survival and success, "knowing that by making myself vulnerable through authenticity, that is the only way I will have meaningful connections with other human beings, in business, and in my personal life".    Moe's one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…authentically be vulnerable, authentically be you, authentically love.

Stephen Hecht returns to the Safe Space podcast to speak with Francesco Lombardo about Nonflict Resolution within the family business. How can families find the tools to resolve conflicts in relationships and within the family business? How does focusing on the NxtGen of the family help us learn and grow? How can families stop the disrespect between generations in the family business?  Stephen’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…conflict can be positive. We need conflict. We need constructive conflict for innovation and growth.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Jenny Dinnen and Katie Rucker, second-generation co-owners and co-presidents of Mackenzie Corp. How is being vulnerable an important piece of making a family business successful? What is the narrative you want for yourself and your family business?  Katie & Jenny’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…be vulnerable and open, but get to know yourself first. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Sunil Soni, Family Business Advisor with Indian Family Business Network. Many Indian family businesses are still first generation, or beginning to think about the transition to the second generation. Most don’t recognize there are or will be challenges, not knowing what to do about them, and continue to unintentionally “push everything under the carpet”. How can families change this for the better? Sunil’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…if you are thinking about your family business becoming multi-generation, look out 20-50 years in order to recognize how things will change over the years. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Author, Speaker and Facilitator, Unni Turrettini from Oslo, Norway. Anyone can feel lonely surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, a successful job or business they love. In fact, many do. What can be done in order to feel a connection? In order to break away from loneliness? It comes down to four elements, beginning with self-worth. Unni’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…Prioritize connection in your business. Find a way for people to contribute more and be seen. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

In Part 2 of Francesco’s conversation with Dr. Paul Jenkins, the discussion revolves around values before valuables, people before problems and relationships before rules. Everyone goes through their own stuff. What matters most to you? What feeling makes your life GOOD? Dr. Paul’s piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…heard from a 93 year old neighbour, don’t be too quick to believe everything you think. If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Dr. Paul Jenkins, professional Psychologist. Why do people shy away from talking about their mental health? Why do wealthy families get stuck? Dr. Paul’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…learn to operate the equipment of your own mind. You don’t need to change a THING, you need to change a THINK. When you learn to operate that equipment, everything else falls into place.

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Bruce Tyrrell and 4th generation family business owner from the Hunter Valley wine region of Australia. When Bruce took over the family business in the 1960’s his father’s only advice was “go and grow the business”. What did that mean to Bruce? How has the vineyard adapted over the years to a people focused, sustainable and successful business? Bruce’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen actually comes from his son…keep half an eye behind you, so you don’t make the same mistakes again. And keep the other one and a  half in front of you because you are looking to improve and move forward.

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Nike Anani, a second generation business owner. In Nigeria, 90% of businesses are family businesses, but statistically only 2% of them survive into the next generation. Why is this happening? It is important for the Senior and NxtGen to have conversations about both the operational AND relational parts of the family business, but where does this start? How will working together on a shared purpose and shared future make businesses more successful for many generations to come? Nike & Franco discuss how family businesses can have a healthy future by developing oneself, having healthy family communication and creating a safe space for this to happen.