The Elephant in the Family Room

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Product Details

Publisher: Guiding Lens Publishing
Release Date: August 19, 2025
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: HC: 978-9915-43-092-8; PB: 978-9915-43-093-5; EB: 978-9915-43-091-1
Trim: 5.5 x 8.5
Page Count: 404

 

Managing the Complexities of Legacy Businesses

René Sonneveld

Equip your business family with the tools to tackle silent threats—including unspoken resentments, deep-seated insecurities, lingering fears, and misaligned values—that can shatter even the strongest enterprise families.

Business families face challenges that go far beyond the balance sheet. These unseen forces often remain hidden yet profoundly affect the future of both the family and the enterprise. Drawing on decades of experience advising global business families and C-suite executives, René Sonneveld addresses the “elephant in the family room”—the emotional complexities of enterprise families.

Packed with actionable insights, The Elephant in the Family Room provides enterprise families with the tools to confront power struggles, mend fractured relationships, bridge generational divides, and align family and business interests. Each chapter includes real-life case studies and thought-provoking reflection questions to help you apply key concepts to your unique situation. For lawyers, accountants, trust specialists, family officers, and wealth managers, this book provides a deeper understanding of family dynamics, helping you guide clients with greater empathy and effectiveness. Whether you’re leading a family enterprise or advising one, The Elephant in the Family Room is your essential road map to lasting success across generations.

About the Author

René Sonneveld is a former international executive in family-owned businesses and served as a family governance specialist at the world’s largest private bank. Today, he is a trusted advisor and leadership coach to enterprise families, helping them preserve unity while navigating the emotional and generational complexities of legacy, succession, and transition.

In this book, he draws from the good, the bad, and the deeply human moments he has witnessed on that journey—working closely with families around the world. René also teaches leadership coaching and organizational performance at American University, NC State, and Rutgers. He brings a global and deeply personal perspective to empowering family leaders and supporting continuity across generations.

Visit the author’s website at: www.renesonneveld.com

Reviews

“It’s a must-read, particularly because of the focus on emotions, which is the most important part and which most family business books do not tackle.” —Maria Elena Lagomasino, CEO and managing partner, WE Family Offices

“Refreshingly honest . . . Sonneveld’s strength is making abstract emotional challenges feel tangible . . . A standout . . . This book is essential if you’re in a family business, work with one, or are trying to avoid becoming your family’s next cautionary tale.” —Manhattan Book Review

“Essential advice from a deeply experienced practitioner who provides real-world observations and guidance.” —Alan F. Heath, chairman and CEO of Wind River Trust Company

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