Bibliography: More on Love, Shared Values & Vision
1. “These Are the 7 Types of Love … and How We Can Ignore the Most Available and Potentially Fulfilling Types”
Neel Burton
Burton notes at the beginning of his article that romantic love, as depicted in 19th-century literature, is a relatively modern concept. There are many other valuable forms of love, but these are often overlooked. Drawing on Greek philosophy (Plato and Aristotle) and J.A. Lee’s Colors of Love (1973), Burton outlines seven distinct types.
2. The Love Math Formula for Family Business
Jonathan Magidovitch
- a. 1 + 1 = ?
- b. 1 + 1 + ♥ = Family
- c. 1 + 1 + ♥ + $ = Family Business
3. Video: Why Family Businesses Must Evolve or Risk Stagnation
Jay Hughes
In this video focused on “Regeneration, Purpose & Flow” Jay Hughes argues that the greatest threat to family businesses is not conflict or succession, but the urge to preserve them unchanged. Treating a business as a static artifact drains its vitality, while true continuity requires dynamic regeneration. Drawing on metaphors from nature, physics, and philosophy, Hughes emphasizes that thriving families embrace evolution for both the enterprise and its members.
Key insights include:
- Most family businesses fail due to inertia, not conflict.
- Preservation leads to stagnation; regeneration fosters relevance and growth.
- Identity and vocation matter more than obligation—ask, “Who are you, and what energizes you?”
- Shared decision-making systems help access deeper stability beyond emotional reactions.
- Families and businesses alike must adapt to survive across generations.
- Love is central to continuity: Hughes highlights that love within families—expressed through care, curiosity, and respect—creates the trust and openness needed for renewal and flourishing.
The conversation challenges traditional assumptions about continuity and offers a vision in which governance supports renewal and human flourishing.
4. Video: Love Troubles: How Love Drives Transformation
Federica Gregoratto
In her talk at the 2025 Vienna Humanities Festival, Italian philosopher Federica Gregoratto discusses how love has been depicted and understood in Western philosophy since the time of Plato. She offers a view of the transformative role that love plays not only for individuals, but also for society.
5. SAM, Our Conversational AI Coach
Aspen Family Business Group
You are also invited to interact with SAM, our conversational AI coach trained on more than forty years of AFBG materials. Feel free to ask SAM your questions about any aspect of family business.
Building Trust Within Your Family Business
Aspen Family Business Group
Access to additional Aspen Family Business Group resources focused on trust-building and related values within a family business.
Keep exploring
Take a look at connected tools and articles to keep learning. Check out Jonathan Magidovitch’s Love Math Formula (Identifying Love in our Family Business).
