business life

For the consultant, advisor, or family member, this is a must read because it is an excellent guide through the sometimes difficult waters of family business.

As an advisor to family owned businesses, I found the book particularly helpful in understanding the individual in relationship to the business and in understanding the interplay of the family system with the business system.

Ms. Dashew is straightfoward in her approach to the complexities of family owned business. She provides ample exercises that draws the readers attention to the issues with tips you can use in resolving those issues.

In her book, Ms. Dashew tackles difficult issues such as substance abuse (an issue too often supressed in the family and the business) and whether to join the family business. She brings clarity to the issues and provides practical advise.

Whatever your involvement with family owned businesses, this is a book that should be on your bookshelf.

This is one of the best books on personal development that I have read. A rare find amid the myriad self-help and pop psychology books, The Best of the Human Side offers a fresh perspective relayed with warmth, humor, and common sense. Many topics address issues family businesses face; however, several of these same topics (confrontation, dialogue, listening) apply just as strongly to non-business, interpersonal relationships.

I look forward to reading more from Leslie Dashew.

In its most simple form, The Best Of The Human Side is about making connections.

First, there must be a connection with one's own identity - of being clear about who you are and what you are about before you can adequately enter into the second part of the book - making connections with others.

Finally, having looked at some practical ways of connecting with others, Leslie brings us to the most interesting and dynamic of all human interactions - the family business connection.

Having grown up in a family business, I can state with certainty that the insights, lessons and tools that are provided in The Best Of The Human Side are pragmatic, useful and easily understood.

There is a healing that takes place as you begin to understand that the dynamics of a family business are shared by most, if not all, family businesses. Ms. Dashew pulls from a wealth of different sources (i.e. The I Ching to The Lion King) to explain the multifaceted issues that face family businesses and in that explanation, there is a connection with other families who are experiencing the same thing you are.

For anyone who owns a family business, works for a family business, consults to a family business or in any way is connected to a family business, this book is a must to read.

It is easy to read but don't let that fool you to the depth of its content. Take your time and reflect on each chapter. This book makes a real connection!