What is Nepotism?

One of the Most Common Problems in a Family Business.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

It was a sparse office with a standard wooden desk and matching bookshelf. Pictures of family adventures and motivational sayings hung on the wall. It was similar to every Mom and Pop boss’s office I often encounter in my work. There were two guest chairs on the other side of the desk. Emmett was sitting in the owner’s chair, I was sitting in a guest chair.

“Are you ready?” I asked.

“Yep”, said Emmett, “Let me have it.”

“After careful review and research, I’ve narrowed down the results to one major cause.”

“Really? Just one thing?” he queried.

That’s it, just one thing. I believe all your problems are being caused by John.”

“John, our general manager?” interrupted Emmett, “You’re saying he’s the problem with our lack of growth?”

“I’m saying he is the root of all the smaller problems. He’s anti-social, anti-customer service, anti-growth, anti-positive, anti-everything.”

“Come on, Jerry, he can’t be that bad.”

I waited a beat, “You’re kidding, right? Are you saying you weren’t aware of his negative attitude? How he spends most of his day staring out the window or reading the sports section of the…