Building a Family Business with Stephen Shortt | Turning Conflict into Continuity

Today on Adeptus On-Air host Mike Hoffman chats with Stephen Shortt, a business consultant, advisor, and author who specializes in family business succession and leadership development. Stephen shares how growing up in two family businesses nearly led him to walk away after conflict and exhaustion reached a breaking point at his own kitchen table. He reflects on the moment he realized he did not want his children growing up unable to sit in the same room as their grandparents, and how that decision launched a 16-year journey to repair and rebuild both the business and the family dynamic. He explains why succession is rarely about competence and more often about identity, control, and fear of irrelevance for the current generation. He walks through his framework for successful succession, including clarifying purpose, choosing the right leader, preparing them properly, publicly promoting their authority, and practicing patience during the transition. He discusses how generational differences around risk, technology, and remote work can either fracture a company or force it to evolve intentionally. Tune in to hear more about navigating identity in leadership transitions, preventing sibling rivalry from derailing a company, and helping the next generation build confidence without losing the family.