Balancing Life as the CEO ~ Chief Emotional Officer

The K² Top 10 to Manage Life as the CEO

Whether you're an entrepreneur or work with your family in the business, your family is affected by your work-life balance, especially when you're the CEO of your business and your family!

Here are the Kux-Kardos Top 10 for balancing life as the Chief Emotional Officer of your Family & Business.

What are your top 2 that help you through..and the top 2 it’s time to review?

10. Fun with Friends. Have good wine on hand and friends to drink it with…you need lots of parties and laughter to burn off steam!

9. Progress vs. Perfection. Realize and remember that you don't have to do it ALL perfectly. As hard as it is, ask for help.  Around the house for example…train your spouse and kids early on that housework is a given not a chore. If all else fails, get a housecleaner!

8. Business = People. Remember that most people in business are the same as you...and have a family at home they need to take care of too. They'll understand  your bind (hopefully) and at times it can break the ice and create a "connection”.

7. Plan Ahead. Put the same thought and attention into family matters and goals as you do for your business. Identifying all of the issues and figuring out how to deal with them before you go ahead will cut a lot of conflict later.

6. Clarify Expectations. Find out every family member’s expectations on everything from finances to time to sacrifices to priorities. Let your family know how much support you will need from each other. The clearer the expectations are, the more understanding and support there will be.

5. Keep Communicating. Communication is key every step of the way. Hold regular family meetings, especially with spouses and older children. This creates an environment where families can make decisions collaboratively and you can recognize and appreciate everyone’s contributions and support.

4. Be Enthusiastic. Talk enthusiastically about how your family can be involved. At the dinnertime sit-downs, rather than focusing only on the challenges and stresses, talk up the pluses of entrepreneurship as well.

3. Bathe Regularly. Don't consider a shower a "treat to yourself”!…If that is your only “you” time, take a look at how well you’re nurturing yourself.

2. Keep Calm & Carry On. Make fun of yourself! The moment you get snarly, it’s time to step back, have a chuckle and remember that life is too short to take so seriously. It’s a good time to go back to #10.

1. Family First. Let nothing come between you and your family. EVER. Business is temporary. Family is forever.

Cheers!
To all the Chief Emotional Officers keeping both our families & businesses together!


Take a look at this family's pact:

GET REAL: Communication & Conflict Management in the Family Business

It's here!

Since going to my first conflict management course in 2003 while we were going through our succession struggles, I have dreamt about creating a customized course series especially designed for families in business.

GET REAL is just that - if you are directly or indirectly involved in your family business, this is your stop for learning how to communicate through conflict and get to solutions that work for relationships that matter. Click the link below to find out more and to register:

GET REAL: Certificate in Family Business Communication & Conflict Management

Courses run in Edmonton, AB and Victoria, BC this March.

Call me at 250 891 4330 if you have any questions!

The UFC Championships - Coming soon!

Alright, I must admit...I'm not a huge fan. In fact, I don't watch UFC at all - and it's not what you think it is.

When it comes to family business, UFC Championships stands for:

The Ultimate Family Communicator Championships!

So who will it be in your family?

Get the training you need with the NEW Get Real Series - A Certificate Program for Family Businesses in Conflict Management & Communication 

Learn what you need to know to manage family business dynamics in a productive way and the skills you need to get you there. 

Email me at niki@nexusfacilitation.com to find out more...or check back here often for the official launch in February!

You Don't Want to Miss This...

1. Are you running family business meetings and not quite getting to where you want to go? Whether you are a family business advisor or member, this course will equip you with facilitation skills to not only navigate through family business dynamics, but also set up a governance structure to get the most out of your family business meetings.

March 5-8 in Vancouver: CAFE Family Council Facilitation Course

I've taken it myself and can work with you to set up your own Family Council, then train and coach you to become your family's facilitator.

On a personal note, my sister and I took the course together and are now equipped to handle our own family meetings!

2. If you are a family business, get ready for the most intimate, influential personal and professional growth experience:

May 23-25 in Ottawa: The CAFE Symposium 2012

Shared experience, inspiring speakers, and interactive workshops leave you with the knowledge you need, the skills to get you there, and the people to support you along the way.

All generations welcome!

See you there in May...

Leadership Excellence for the Top Dog

Leadership style no doubt has a significant influence on the effectiveness and success of your business. So what kind of animal are you?

This Globe & Mail article has a few ideas!

Join the new Tradition!

Do you work with your family in the business, or do you work for a family business? If so:

Come out for the new CAFE VI tradition in Victoria, BC: NextGen Socials!

On Feb. 24th at 8pm find us at: Bard & Banker Pub

Speaking

I love talking about family business anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Here's where I've been so far this year:

Feb. 27 in Victoria, BC -  Roaring Women: Life as the CEO ~ Chief Emotional Officer
Mar. 22 in Edmonton, AB - University of Alberta: Communication in the Family Business
Mar. 29 Webinar - CAFE: Stepping Up. How to Survive as the Apprentice in your Family Firm
May 1 in Munich, GER - Who's the Mentor Now? Keys to Effective Intergenerational Communication
May 31 in Victoria, BC - BDC: Mind over Matter. Mastering the Emotional Undercurrents of Exiting your Business
June 9 in Nanaimo, BC - MNP: Bridging the Succession Gap. What Business Buyers Need to Know