Developing tomorro leaders

Plenty. The ideas we offer here are what you might call bigpicture ideas. That is, they focus on creating a climate in which the notion of leadership excellence can flourish.

One of the most important things you can do is create an environment in which young people come to embrace the concept that being a leader is a desirable goal. That may sound silly. You may be saying, "Of course being a leader is a good thing!"

However, how many times have you heard people in leadership roles disparage their positions? probably fairly often. "I don't know how they talked me into this," they lament. "I never have time for anything else." In some family business cultures, leadership is avoided, not aspired toa burden that an unlucky family member gets stuck with. This view may reduce conflict among otherwise competitive siblings. But on the whole, such an atmosphere is undesirable.

By Craig E. and Otis W. Arnoff. Ph.D. Baskin. Ph.D.

To assure the emergence of future leaders. you must have young people rvho aspire to leadership. That requires a culrure in rvhich leadership is appreciated and honored. You go a long rvay torvard building that kind of environment rvhen you acknorvledge and praise the qualities that make different people in your family effective leaders. You can help next-generation family members. from the time they are young children. understand rvhat leadership is all about.

You can help them see rhat being a leader rvill enable them to use their gifts and talents to contribute to the world around them and rvill also bring many rervards-perhaps rvealth and prestige but. more important. the joy and satisfaction that comes rvith helping others or building an enterprise.

It is important to instill in younger people the knorvledge that leadership begins with the recognition of the opportunity to provide leadership. Make sure they understand that they need to keep their eyes open and take responsibility. While you can be helpful, the rvork of preparation is up to them.

It's also essential that once they identify the opportunities, they ask not "What do I rvant to accomplish for myself?" but "What do I rvanr to accomplish for all?" By consistently sharing that message and observing young people's behavior and giving feedback, you can keep them focused on the principle that effective family business leadership aims to accomplish rvhat is best for the family and the business.

Offer development opportunities

Once you have created the proper climate. you can turn your attention to the development of leadership itself. The more that young people get the chance to try out some leadership skills, the more excited about leading they rvill become. As you rvork rvith them. emphasize the fact that there are many leadership roles to which they can aspire. They may not be the top overseer and. in fact. they may ultimately be happier in a different leadership position. Whatever they do as leaders. they can make an important contribution.

Here are some ways to involve younger family members in the practice of effective leadership:

_ ,. Give them the opportunity to develop their skills by delegating small matters to them. You can begin as soon as they are young teenagers. or even earlier, and continue providing them rvith more difficult leadenhip challenges as they grow into adulthood. Put them in leadership situations where, if they fail, they can learn without being embarrassed and turned off. Their assignments should also helP them discover their growth capabilities and that they can come to informed decisions about how much and in what areas they want to lead.

. Encourage young people to assume leadership positions at school and in community organizations. Youth organizations, sports, and other extra-curricular activities offer superb opportunities for practicing and developing leadership. High school and college students can edit the campus newspaper, direct plays, lead a choir, or be captain of the debate team.

. Provide special leadership learning opportunities within the business and the family. Some business-owning families create "junior boards" or "shadow boards" where older teenagers are allowed to observe and to interact with shareholders and others who are making decisions about the business. Or they might be brought into the deliberations of the family council so they can learn and contribute even before they're expected to take over responsibility.

. Help them set goals for themselves and others. They'll need to establish educational goals, career goals, and leadership goals. And if they're aiming to be leaders, they will need to learn how to set goals for the organizations they lead and for individual followers. Use your experience to show how goal setting is done and encourage them to practice setting goals for others in their school or community organizations. Look for leadership-education opportunities suited to their needs. Many universities have family business centers and offer educational programs tailored especially for members of business families. Another source of leadership training might be your industry or trade association. Many of their members are family businesses and these associations want to see those members succeed into future generations.

Practice what you preach

Without a doubt. the most imPortant contribution you can make to the leadership development of your sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren is to be an exemplary leader yourself. When young people see in you the qualities of effective leadership, that will do more to teach and inspire them than you can imagine. They will learn from you the need to adapt their leadership style to the situation. They will see by your example what true delegation is. They will begin to recognize opportunities for leadership and understand that it's up to them to seize those opportunities.

There's another way you can contribute to their learning process-one we have not yet mentioned. If you are the c.e.o., don't try to solve all the company's problems before the kids take over. You can do the next generation a favor by leaving them with a challenge. Hopefully, they'll deal with it successfully and that will give them a boost in credibility and provide them with a tremendous headstart in instituting their own leadershiP.

-Craig E. Aronoff and Otis W. Baskin are principals with Tlrc Family Business Consulting Group, Marietta, Ga.; (800) 551-0633' Dr. AronoJf can be contacted at aronrlf@efamily' business.t'om, und Dr. Baskin at baskin@efam' il-tbusiness.com.

Reprinted y)ith permission .from Famil-,Business Advisor, a copyrighted publication oJ Family Enterprise Publislrcrs. No portion oJ this article may be reproduced without permission of Fumily Enterprise Puhlishers.

Thicker Millwork

At I-114" thick, AzEx to Mill boards reportedly make it easier to laminate several boards tosether to create thicker items such as-rvindorv sills.

half-round shingles, and double 9" rough-split shingles.

Water-Resistant MDF Boards

UltraStock MR from TempleInland is an interior grade medlum density fiberboard intended for applications rvhere moist conditions exist. The product is made with moisture-resistant resins, and is reportedly ideal for kitchen and bathroom sink

Lights Out

Ease-Out from Alden is desiened to extract broken light bulbs safel!. The device is constructed rvith an insulator material to reduce daneer of

ATM also provides a deeper shadow line on some of the newer sidinss. such as architectural stone and fib=er cement.

Available in 9"x18' boards and 48"x96" sheets, it can be used on all non-load bearing exterior trim areas.

- Please contact (877) 275-2935 or visit www.a:ek.com

lmpressive Cedar Siding

Cedar Impressions polymer siding from CertainTeed has added eieht new colors: red, buckskin, cypre*ss, flagstone, ivy green, Pacific blue, bases, dishwasher enclosures. and fastening strips between cabinets and solid-surface countertops.

- Please contact (800) 231-6060 or v i s it w,ww.temple inland.com

Tote Those Tools

Tool totes from Klein Tools are designed to withstand wear and tear on the jobsite.

Drain holes in the molded bottom prevent water retention that can cause mold and mildew. A wide polypropylene handle has a comfortable leather wrap, and a padded shoulder strap allorvs for hands-free mobility.

- Please contact (800) 553-4676 or v i s it www.kle intool s.com electric shock and a safety shield to avoid cut fingers. One model can extract standard bulbs: the other extracts candelabra bulbs.

- Please co,ttoct (800) 832-5336 o r v i s i t tt'u'u'.a lde n.c om

Micro Treated Wood

Universal Forest Products now offers ProWood Micro. lumber treated rvith a rvaterborne preservative to protect against decay and insects.

sable brown. and sandstone beise.

Molded from real cedar sh'ineles. the product offers the textured toot of real wood without the maintenance.

Four classic styles are offered in a low-gloss finish: double 7" and triple 5" Perfection shingles, double 6-ll4"

Micronizing the copper preservative reduces corrosion of fasteners. making the lumber ideal for a wide range of outdoor uses.

The product is available in natural rvood-tone colors called Microshades. rvhich provide more consistent coloring and a more natural appearance than manual staining.

- Please contact (800) 598-9663 or y i s it rr'rr'rr'.prou'oodmicro.corn

Chop Scrap In A Snap

Su'ecd Machincrv has added a nrore economical model to its lir.re of scrap choppcrs.

self-hclp Internct portal that bisTrack clienls can brancl as thcir orvn. It alsil alkrrvs users to shat'e infbrrnation and conduct busit"tcss ri ith suppliers. cus tomers. and othet' business partllcrs throughout the supply cl.rarn.

Contucr (877) 716-1771 or vi.sir u l r'.1) r(r,q/'('s

Visionary Vinyl Fencing

Carnbium vinyl fencing lronr

Vinyl Visions Lt-C is norl clistributccl by PPW.

Thc Model 300 Bandit scrap chopper f'eaturcs a l/2-hp lrotor to cotlvert plastic banding and steel strapping up to 3/4" into 2-l14" picces for easy disposal or rccycling.

- Pleuse cottto(t (800) 888 1-152 o t' t' i,t t tt'tt'tt'.sv, e c d t ont

Tracking The Web ancl casc of installation. Solal Guarcl protects against harmful UV ra)'s. espccialll' lbr clark colors.

Web Track is an c-busincss add-on for Progressive Solutions' bisTrack softrvarc for lumber ancl builcling rnatcrials dcalers and distributor. The product provides a secure.

Thc completc vinyl fencc syste lll rcportedly has thc lcxrk ancl tcxture ttf rcal rvoocl. The cxtrudecl parts havc a patentecl Glide-l-ock that locks the traditional tongue-and-lloove pickcts togetlier fol strcngth. perfortnance.

PIaust (ot1td( t (,S0(/l -l-18--lJ-t-5

Aluminum With Beauty

Anrerican Fcncc Factorl, makcs aluminum fcncc. columlts. posts. f inials. handrails alld gates that are porvcler coatccl fi)f lollg-tcl"m bcauty.

Available in nrattc. gloss or hi.lh gloss finishes in l'ive stiinclarcl colors. thc f-encing is suarantectl to hold its color fbr t0 years. Additional colors and cclatir-tgs at'e available uporl rcrlucst. firr arr aclcliti()nal cclst.

460-0160 or vi.rit

Wood-Look Railing

RapidRail CX from CorrectDeck has a low-luster finish that reportedly provides the warm look of wood and complements composite decking. Treated with Microban to resist mold and mildew and be easier to clean, the product is also available in rails, balusters and posts that are designed for quick, easy installation.

V i sit www.corre ctde c k.com

Quik Drive Screws

Simpson Strong-Tie's Quik Drive screws are available for most deckins materials, including composite, presl sure treated wood. and fine hardwoods.

The holding power of scrervs reportedly prevents fastener heads from popping above planks. preventing squeaking and reducin-e callbacks.

- Please l'isit lt.lr'lt'.stro nptie.coilt

One-Piece Corner Mould

Universal Forest Products has added a one-piece corner mould to its line of TechTrim exterior products. Available in l0-ft. lensths and and rvorks like real rvood. yet does not absorb water.

- Please contact (800) 598-9663 o r t i s i t n'n'n'.ufp i.c otrt

Raised Concrete Decking

Dekstone from Stepstone Inc. is a precast concrete covering for raised decks.

Made of concrete and reinforced rvith rvelded rvire mesh. the stones are custom-poured for a handcrafted look.

Four colors are available: wheat. agave verde. sterling gray. and Tuscan amber.

- Please contact (800) 572-9029 o r v i s i t tt'tt',*'.de ks t on e.ut rrr rvidths of 4" and 6". the mould has an embossed woodgrain texture. The line is made of cellular polymer that is engineered to resist splintering, cracking, peeling and warping. It is also reportedly easy to handle

"Nr Seasoned Fencing"

Itlanufacturers of High

Incense cedir and white wood

Sierra Cedar Products, LLC is located in Marysville, California. Our location is excellent for quick shipment via truck, pig van or rail to all locations nationwide and world wide.

. Air seasoning creates stability in our products.

r Current total production in excess of 40 million bd. ft. per year.

. Grading in accordance with WCLIB and WWPA.

. Delivered prices available upon request.

o Full load volumes onlv.

Colorful Post Caps

WoodWay western red cedartrimmed glass post caps from LWO Corp. are now available in four colors: cobalt, amber, black and olive green.

design match any store

Each pyramid-shaped cap fits a standard 4"x4" structural post to protect the top of the post from the weather, while adding a touch of color to outdoor living spaces.

- Please contact (503) 286-5372 or v i sit www.lwocorp.c om

Set Up Shopping

A flexible, modular sales counter manufactured by Walls+Forms Inc. is reportedly easy to use and assemble. The design offers low-cost counter space, slatwall merchandising, front merchandising, and back-lit headers, and is easy to store when not needed. Featuring a white finish, it can be

Ladder Carrier

The Weather Guard interior sliding ladder rack from Knaack mounts on the inside roof of a van or truck to hold an 8 ft. ladder.

The modular system has adjustable front and rear cradles that run along a rail. A tension-locking device holds the ladder securely, without buckles, latches or ties.

Because it holds the ladder out of the way, the rack allows easy access to other cargo without unloading and reloading.

- Please contact (800) 456-7865 or visit www.knaack.com

Grown in California, Made in California

Produced nv Creatus

Wood Froducts

Established in'1998, with over 30 years manufacturing experience in the softwood and hardwood industry Specializing in redwood fingerjoint primed and natural finish sidings and mouldings.

Products: CRA Bevel Siding Patterns d.

For our Redwood fingerjoint products cali 1'866-974-0180

For the nearest wholesale distributor in your area

Creatus Wood Products

4501 Brickell Privado, Ontario, CA91761

Contact Cart Henoch

Phone: 909 974-01 80

Fax: 909 974-O1B"l e-mai | : creatuswood@aol.com fi 4OO, #362, #363 1 /2x4, 1 /2x6, "l /2xB #37 1, #372, #373 3/4x6, 3/4x8, 3/4x1 O 1x2 - 1x'12, 5/4x4-5/4x12 S4S facia 2x8 Beveled Sills, Northern and Southern Stucco Moulds, Brick Moulds, Watertable

We also make in Rwd F.J. all current profiles available in the CRA Rwd Lbr Pjttern Book #i 7, including matching older patterns as well, by quotation.

In addition: Poplar and Basswood F.J. Mouldings, Shutter and Louver components, primed and sanded. Hardwood Mouldings including Handrail, lnterior and Exterior Jambs, Pine F.J. Mouldings, Primed & Raw, call for quotation.

Other services: Custom Fingerjointing R.F. Edge and Face Gluing, Interior and Exterior Priming Moulder work; available by quotation.