Finding the line between friendship and professionalism with coworkers can be hard – but it's even more challenging if your coworkers are family. For the last two years, Makeup mogul Bobbi Brown has been building out her newest brand, Jones Road Beauty. It's a unique venture where Bobbi's son is the CMO, her daughter-in-law is head of brand, and her husband is the Chairman of the Board. In this episode of #ThisIsWorking, Bobbi and Cody sit down with LinkedIn editor in chief Daniel Roth to talk about how they navigate the challenges of combining family dynamics with business endeavors. Here's some lessons that stood out: 📌 Joining the family business: Cody initially turned down the opportunity to work with his mom, but realized the one thing he excelled at was exactly what Bobbi needed for the business to be successful. 🚗 Learning to Navigate as a Family: Working with family comes with its privileges and challenges. Bobbi and Cody emphasize the importance of open communication, transparency, and knowing when to have private discussions to prevent any discomfort among employees. ⚖ The Delicate Balance: When family members work together, it's essential to strike a balance between business and personal dynamics. Bobbi and Cody have learned to separate work-related discussions from their personal relationship, fostering a collaborative and productive atmosphere. 📓 Lessons for Parent Entrepreneurs: For those considering involving their children in their business, Bobbi advises fostering a good relationship with open communication and honesty. Recognize your limitations and ensure that the venture strengthens your bond rather than creating conflicts. Have you worked with family members or considered doing so? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Share your insights in the comments below.
To cultivate a culture of belonging and accountability, setting clear boundaries between family/friends and coworkers is vital. Mixing personal and professional relationships can lead to divisions and the perception of nepotism, undermining the sense of belonging and impartiality. Moreover, managing family and friends in the workplace can hinder their growth and development since their responses to coaching and guidance may differ due to their unique relationships. This complexity can challenge leaders in maintaining a fair and inclusive culture while empowering all team members, including family and friends, for their growth and development. Daniel Roth
I love to work with family members all tough works with confidence
Zina Lee
1y
Two things: 1) My husband and I worked at the same startup. When it went under, both of our incomes went pffft. I’d advise being a good saver when working with a partner for the same company. 2) I worked for a partner because my skill set was what he needed. Being together 24/7 became so challenging that it finally ended the relationship and with it my employment. So think very carefully about being in this situation.
Tracie Sachs
1y
Thanks for sharing
My mother was supervisor of a mailroom. I worked under her and respected her. She was my teacher, and supporter. My aunt also worked at the organization. My aunt encouraged me to get my own job, which I did. I learned a lot from my mother, and worked for 6 years for the county, which paid for my college education. I feel that respect is what is needed to make families be able to work together.
“It’s a unique venture where…”. Oh. Welcome to India, where such unique ventures thrive and deliver great results.
Friendship and professionalism must be treated separately and with care when it comes to family.
Working with family can be challenging but it is also a blessing. We had a successful family business for 41 years headed up by my amazing father. He got covid with pneumonia and we had to close the business in 2022. Running a small business in the current climate would have been very difficult if not impossible for us. I miss working with my family but we were blessed for 41 years to be able to work together. My father only had an eighth grade education but he built a company that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars year after year. He taught us that hard work is an absolute necessity to succeed. The greatest generation this country has ever known is fading but will never be forgotten.
Co-workers are not your "friends". All it takes is unprofessional gossiping, buckpassing, and hostile work environments to immediately end those pre-conceived notions. If you don't believe me, just observe how often reciprocity is shown back when you hold doors open and get nothing back in return.
Range Operations Contract Quality Assurance Manager / Travel Advisor
1yOh, navigating the friendship-professionalism line with coworkers can be like walking a tightrope, but add family to the mix, and it's a whole circus act! 🤹♀️🎪 Keeping a healthy balance can be tricky, but setting boundaries and open communication are essential to maintain harmony in both relationships. Remember, it's all about juggling with care! 🤝💼😄