Succession in a family-owned business is more than an ownership or leadership transaction; it is a psychological, relational, and organizational transition. This session explores how advisors can help families move from asking “Who replaces me?” to “How do we prepare the organization to thrive beyond me?” Participants will examine the Three-Circle Model, Gestalt principles, the Gestalt Cycle of Awareness, and the Kerzner STAMP, a research-based framework for assessing succession readiness across 15 categories. The session also addresses founder resistance, next-generation development, governance, transparent communication, conflict, trusted advisors, professionalization, and business valuation. Attendees will leave with a practical approach for identifying succession risk, facilitating difficult conversations, strengthening family and business systems, and translating awareness into a focused action plan.
