Pillar #4: Competency, by David Bork
David Bork
May 2, 2025
In this pillar, you will learn the specific things parents must do to prepare their children for the lives that await them.
Summary
One of the most important things young people must learn is the connection between effort and reward. Family members must learn to manage both horizontal and vertical relationships within the business. The Golden Goose Employment Policy, explained in this Competency Pillar, has all the necessary elements required, including continuing education and setting a high bar for entry.
Re-Imagining Relationships For Families In Business
Four essential pillars form the foundation of lasting family business success. When these pillars are intentionally built and sustained, they support the continuity of both family relationships and business ownership across generations. This series provides the tools, frameworks, and guidance needed to strengthen these pillars and build long-term resilience within your family enterprise.
This is an introduction to Pillar #4: Competency. Download or read the publication using the link below.
Introduction
The task of parents: to raise responsible adults, who have high self-esteem, and can function independently in this world.
One of the most important things young people must learn is the connection between effort and reward. Another big lesson for kids coming up in the family business is the ability to take a job to completion and to know they have executed the job to the best of their ability. Along the way, each person must learn to manage both horizontal and vertical relationships within the business.
In this lesson, you will find the “Golden Goose Employment Policy.” This policy was created for a particular family I have worked with, and it is presented verbatim in this course. The Golden Goose Employment Policy has become the “gold standard” guideline for a family business because it has all the necessary elements required, including continuing education and setting a high bar for entry.
People of all ages and abilities are motivated by recognition, the opportunity for input, and the opportunity to do interesting things. A less-than-competent person will not receive recognition, will not be invited to give input, and will ultimately be shunted to the side to do boring things. When that person is a family member, you have a real problem. The good (but misguided) intention of one senior family member will have created an unhappy employee who also shares other important family ties.
It is critical that this lesson is understood and adhered to. This pillar may be last, but it is certainly not least. It is an equal underpinning to the support of a successful family business platform.
