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On 19 November 2024, the 4th Asia Pacific Family Business Summit convened at The Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Organised by BinPavo, in collaboration with ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Business School as its knowledge partner, the summit provided a vital platform for discussing the evolving dynamics of family businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. A key feature of the event was the Masterclass titled Managing Emotions and Relationships in Family Business, which aimed to equip participants with actionable strategies to address the emotional intricacies inherent in family enterprises.

The Masterclass featured distinguished speakers, including Associate Professor Dr Shehnaz Tehseen and Dr Syed Monirul Hossain from ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Business School, Ms Farah Hussamuddin, Executive Director, Publisher, and CEO of Grup Sinar Karangkraf, and Dr Leilanie Mohd Nor, Group CEO and Co-founder of BinPavo, Malaysia. The session provided a comprehensive framework for fostering sustainable business success while strengthening familial relationships, ensuring a balance between professional and personal priorities.

Key Highlights and Models
Dr Shehnaz Tehseen introduced the Emotional Management Model, which addresses conflicts of interest arising from differing visions within family businesses. She emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy as tools to build trust, resolve conflicts constructively, and enhance collaboration among family members. Recognising early signs of burnout, such as fatigue, irritability, and emotional exhaustion, was also underscored as critical for maintaining both individual well-being and business productivity.

Dr Shehnaz proposed the establishment of emotional support systems—such as counselling, mentoring, and peer groups—to alleviate stress and sustain resilience within the family business environment.

In addition, Dr Shehnaz presented the Relationship Maintenance Model, which focuses on defining clear boundaries between family and business roles. Role blurring, a common issue in family enterprises, often leads to interpersonal conflicts and heightened emotional strain. By establishing structured guidelines for distinguishing family matters from business operations, families can mitigate these challenges. Furthermore, respecting family and business hierarchies was highlighted as essential for fostering professional integrity and ensuring effective decision-making. These approaches are critical for preserving family harmony while enhancing business sustainability.

Dr Syed Monirul Hossain further elaborated on the importance of harmony within family enterprises. He stressed the need to uphold both family and business hierarchies to promote structured decision-making and effective communication. Dr Syed reinforced the value of emotional intelligence and empathy in cultivating an environment of trust, which is crucial for conflict resolution and strengthening collaboration. His insights provided a deeper understanding of how emotional dynamics influence family businesses.

Real-World Applications
To bridge theoretical concepts with practical applications, Ms Farah Hussamuddin shared insights from her experience as a leader at Grup Sinar Karangkraf, a prominent family-run enterprise. She discussed how strategies such as emotional intelligence, role clarity, and effective communication helped address emotional challenges within her business. Her real-world perspective illuminated the practicality of the models and highlighted their relevance to participants’ own enterprises.

Dr Leilanie Mohd Nor facilitated an interactive group activity where participants applied the discussed models to real-life scenarios. This hands-on session encouraged participants to share personal experiences and explore strategies for addressing emotional and relational challenges in their own family business contexts. The activity emphasised the applicability of emotional management and relationship maintenance strategies in fostering sustainable outcomes.

Key Takeaways
The Masterclass underscored alleviating emotional strain as a cornerstone of family business success. Emotional support systems, such as counselling, mentoring, and peer groups, were identified as critical tools for managing stress and fostering resilience. Participants learned the importance of recognising burnout indicators, such as irritability and fatigue, to facilitate timely intervention and maintain organisational productivity.

Maintaining healthy relationships within family businesses also requires clear boundaries between personal and professional roles. For instance, limiting business discussions to office hours ensures that personal time remains family-focused, while structured meetings allow for dedicated attention to both business and familial concerns. These practices help family members balance their dual roles as business leaders and family participants.

Another key takeaway was the ability of the devised models to create frameworks that foster emotional well-being and sustainable decision-making. The integration of emotional intelligence, structured communication, and mutual respect strengthens collaboration and minimises conflict, thereby supporting long-term business success.

Conclusion
The Managing Emotions and Relationships in Family Business Masterclass provided a nuanced exploration of the emotional complexities inherent in family enterprises. By integrating theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, the session equipped participants with the tools to navigate conflicts, establish role clarity, and build emotional support systems.

The Masterclass emphasised the significance of emotional management and relationship maintenance in achieving both business sustainability and familial harmony. ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Business School, through its role in this initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation and resilience in the family business sector. By empowering family business leaders to address emotional challenges proactively, the institution continues to shape a sustainable future for family enterprises across the Asia-Pacific region. The session’s blend of insights and actionable strategies set a benchmark for addressing emotional and relational dynamics in family businesses effectively.

Associate Professor Dr Shehnaz Tehseen
ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Business School
Email: @email 

Dr Syed Monirul Hossain
ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Business School
Email: @email