The Role of Patriarch

The Role of Patriarch

There are many factors that help make a family business achieve exceptional levels of success and maintain them over multiple generations, but the one that is rarely mentioned is the presence of a strong “Patriarch” figure. This person is the wise and respected elder who helped to build this business “on their watch” and still has influence over major decisions.

The advice of the Patriarch is sought after and heeded.  The Patriarch rarely interjects their opinion unless it is requested, and yet is ready with a thoughtful response when called upon.  They seem to know everything that is going on, even when they’ve been traveling for three weeks without a single phone call back home.  Members of the youngest generation respect them more than any other person, and can often be found asking for advice—when no one else is looking.

These Patriarchs are rare. They are willing to risk sharing their control of the business just at the time that they are reaping the rewards of their hard work, so that the Next generation can learn while they still have some influence.  In my discussions with them, they are humble, reserved….and watchful.  They know what really matters…. and what won’t make a bit of difference 5 minutes from now, let alone 5 years from now.  They tend to say the least in business meetings, but are always the ones most listened to when they do choose to speak.  They are rarely interrupted by others, rarely challenged, and usually….right.

In difficult times they don’t talk about how bad it was in their day, but instead they share how they worked through the challenges one at a time, learned from their mistakes, worked hard, and kept a positive attitude.

I have met them in the Sacramento Valley (rice, almonds, olives and walnuts) and the Imperial Valley (dates and ornamentals) of California.  In Iowa (corn and pigs), Nebraska (cattle), Minnesota and Wisconsin (dairies).  In Oklahoma (cattle, pigs, cow/calf), Texas (cattle) and Kansas (pigs, dairy).  In all these places these Patriarchs are the same.  They have the same presence, the same self-confidence, the same humility and the same predisposition for being right regardless of the question or circumstances.

Those families without one have no idea what they are missing, nor can they fully compensate for their disadvantage.

Here’s to all the Patriarchs!

Don Tyler