Incongruent Hierarchies: Daughters and Younger Sons as Company CEOs

Abstract

The daughter or younger son who becomes head of the family business must struggle with both self-identity and changing family role expectations. How do they do this? Father CEO: My oldest son is the nicest guy in the world and expects to become president of the company. But, my second son would be better. I also have a younger daughter in the business. I don't know what to do. I've told the kids they may have to decide. Daughter CEO: From the time I became president eleven years after I joined the company, I was competing with my father—not from my side but from his side. Then the family struggle really started, particularly when my older brother wanted to join the business. Younger brother CEO: I can't replace him, because he's my older brother, and I have to think my way out of it, or we may have a confrontation.