Wasi
0 comments April 26, 2025

FROM APPROVAL TO RESPECT A Coaching Case Study of a New CEO in a Family Business

Background

When Naveed Sheikh (name changed for confidentiality), a newly appointed CEO of a family-owned manufacturing company, reached out to me, he faced a significant challenge. Stepping into his father’s role, he was eager to win over the team and gain their support. However, this desire to be well-liked kept him from making the difficult decisions to drive the company forward.

Adding to the complexity, many of the senior GMs in the company had been there since Naveed’s childhood. They had seen him grow from a young boy who occasionally visited his father’s office to someone who was now expected to lead them. Naveed deeply respected these individuals, many of whom had shaped the company’s culture and legacy. This respect, however, made it challenging for him to hold some of the non-performers accountable. He found himself hesitating to confront or push them, fearing it might damage relationships he valued and lead to disappointment.

This inner conflict began impacting the organization’s direction and eroding Naveed’s credibility. Naveed knew that without addressing these issues, his leadership—and the company’s future—would remain compromised

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Adding to the complexity, many of the senior GMs in the company had been there since Naveed’s childhood. They had seen him grow from a young boy who occasionally visited his father’s office to someone who was now expected to lead them. Naveed deeply respected these individuals, many of whom had shaped the company’s culture and legacy. This respect, however, made it challenging for him to hold some of the non-performers accountable. He found himself hesitating to confront or push them, fearing it might damage relationships he valued and lead to disappointment.

This inner conflict began impacting the organization’s direction and eroding Naveed’s credibility. Naveed knew that without addressing these issues, his leadership—and the company’s future—would remain compromised

He reached out, seeking guidance. Our coaching goal was to balance respect with accountability and improve his leadership approach.

THE CHALLENGE

Nadeem’s need to maintain strong relationships and his hesitation to disappoint others led him to delay critical decisions.

He found it challenging to address underperformance and was reluctant to push back on ideas that, though popular, were not aligned with the company’s long-term goals. Sensing his hesitation, his team began questioning his decisiveness, and the company’s growth stalled. Nadeem knew he had to step up but felt torn between being liked and respected.

This situation is not uncommon. In fact, according to research published in the Harvard Business Review, 53% of executives hesitate to make tough decisions when relationships are at stake. Nadeem’s case highlighted how a leader’s desire for approval could compromise organizational clarity and cohesion.

THE COACHING PROCESS

Through our coaching sessions, Nadeem and I worked on shifting his mindset from seeking approval to earning respect. Here’s how we approached it.
1. Defining Leadership Values : making and stopped shying away from necessary, though sometimes uncomfortable, conversations. His team noticed that respect replaced the initial need for approval, and his credibility soared. In the following months, the company’s performance metrics began to improve. With more precise direction from the top, teams were more aligned, engaged, and motivated. Nadeem’s courage to embrace respect over popularity transformed his leadership impact, ultimately positioning him as a CEO who could lead the organization with conviction and clarity.

TAKEAWAYS

Nadeem’s journey illustrates a critical shift many CEOs in family-owned businesses must navigate. He made a serious effort to move from a mindset focused on approval to one grounded in respect. Nadeem unlocked his potential as a CEO and empowered his organization to grow. As a CEO coach, my message to other leaders in family-owned businesses is this: Embrace the courage to make difficult decisions. While legacy and relationships are valuable, authentic leadership requires prioritizing the organization’s future above personal comfort. When you lead with trust, decisiveness, and integrity, your team and stakeholders will ultimately respect you more, and your business will thrive.

Wasi

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