Effective Shareholder Agreements

Shareholder agreements for family businesses have been on my mind lately. I created this slide for a recent client.

Purpose: To protect both the business and family relationships by setting clear expectations when navigating unexpected events.
{I often wonder, if this is the purpose, why then are so many agreements not signed or not even in place?}

A few things to note about our approach to this important document:

1. If you work with me on Succession Planning, our meetings build collective capabilities over time. A few essential but often overlooked skills ...

Collaborative decision-making | Self-awareness
Perspective-taking | Strength-noticing
Curiosity & Compassion | Intentional planning

These skills are essential when working through complex agreements. So, let's develop them early!!

2. You will move directly into the Shareholder Agreement process, BEFORE any share transfer date (usually 3-5 months)

3. We connect with a business lawyer early (most often use the client's lawyer as they are most familiar with the business and family). One lawyer that intentionally designs a process that will best suit the client, and not one that best suits the lawyer.

Please reach out if you are a family business or an advisor to one, and would like to replace:

Assumptions ...... with clarity
Uncertainty ......with preparedness
Conflict ....... with continuity

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