Conflict in Family Business and Its Resolution: Insights from Sandesh Vasant Mestry

 Conflict in family business is more than a hurdle — it’s a powerful indicator of areas needing strength and structure. Sandesh Vasant Mestry, a renowned family business consultant and mentor at family-business.in, has helped numerous enterprises in India transform internal conflicts into pathways for sustainable governance, growth, and unity. Drawing from his expertise, here’s a refined guide to recognizing and resolving conflict in family business.

Understanding the Roots of Conflict

In family enterprises, blurred lines between personal relationships and business decisions often lead to complex emotional tensions. Common sources of conflict include:

• Unclear roles and blurred boundaries, leading to disputes over authority.
• Succession tension, where next-gen expectations clash with traditional leadership.
• Ownership disputes, especially during transitions or wealth extraction.
• Decision-making conflicts, where family dynamics interfere with business objectives.

These conflict scenarios are shared by many, but as Sandesh Vasant Mestry advises, the way forward lies in intentional resolution frameworks.

Sandesh Vasant Mestry’s Framework for Conflict Resolution

As the founder behind family-business.in, Sandesh’s approach to addressing conflict in family business and its resolution combines practical governance tools with empathetic mentorship. Here’s how he guides families:

1. Establishing Governance Clarity
   Through formal Family Councils, defined roles, and regular accountability loops, every member understands their boundaries and purpose — minimizing friction.
2. Creating a Family Business Constitution
   A guiding document that outlines values, succession rules, decision rights, and conflict-resolution steps ensures consistency and fairness in governance.
3. Structured Succession Planning
   By instituting leadership criteria, mentoring next-gen members, and defining leadership timelines, he minimizes emotional power struggles.
4. Fair Advisory Structures
   Sandesh champions the inclusion of independent advisors or non-family board directors to ensure balanced, objective decisions.
5. Formal Conflict Resolution Protocols
   Instead of ad hoc escalation, he recommends pre-set mediation procedures involving the Family Council and, if necessary, external facilitation.
6. Ongoing Mentorship & Dialogue
   Regular advisory sessions, open family retreats, and facilitated discussions foster understanding, growth, and alignment — a hallmark of effective conflict resolution.

Why This Works

Applying this framework helps family businesses:

• Move from emotionally driven disputes to strategic, mission-aligned governance
• Facilitate leadership transitions with equity and transparency
• Foster trust among stakeholders — even through tough conversations
• Preserve both business integrity and familial relationships
• Build a foundation for generational legacy — not just survival

Sandesh’s guidance ensures that conflict becomes a renewal opportunity, not a source of division.

For more : https://www.family-business.in/