Introduction PART I THE CASE FOR NATURAL GOVERNANCE 1. Why Natural Governance Matters 2. Governance in Action 3. Discovering Natural Governance PART II THE NATURAL GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK 4. The Natural Governance Framework 5. Every Family Business is Normal 6. Discovering Norms 7. Trust in Governance 8. Who Do You Trust? 9. Pre-Nups, Owners and Directors 10. Setting Boundaries 11. Returns, Branding, and Owners’ Meetings 12. Decision-making, Leadership, and Business Relationships 13. Mistakes About Purpose 14. Share Value, Dividends, and Tax Planning 15. Risk, Perks, and Pay 16. Another Type of Return 17. Governing a Non-Financial Purpose 18. Doing the Work 19. A Big Picture of Natural Governance PART III REFLECTIONS 20. A Mirror and a Lens 21. Beware Best Practice 22. My Own Worst Critic 23. An A to Z of Natural Governance Afterword Dr. Barbara Murray
Biography
Ken McCracken is an independent family business consultant and teacher who has worked with enterprising families in Europe, Asia, and North America. He is a Lifetime Member of the Family Firm Institute (FFI) and a past recipient of the FFI Award for Outstanding Interdisciplinary Achievement (2001). He also holds the FFI Advanced Certificate in Family Business Advising. Ken is the author and teacher of two family business educational programmes for the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global professional organisation. In 2015 he received the STEP Award for Family Business Adviser of the Year. In his former career as a corporate lawyer and managing partner of a law firm he was awarded Managing Partner of the Year at the 2004 Law Awards of Scotland.
"Ken McCracken reveals the reality behind the illusion of formal governance. This book provides a powerful framework for understanding how family businesses truly function, and a clearer foundation for navigating complexity, influence, and generational transition. No family business facing change can afford to ignore this book." Antony Barnes, Owners’ Council Chair of Bettys & Taylors Group
"This insightful and practical book outlines a profoundly non-judgmental, accepting process that is both challenging and transformative. It helped our family business gain better clarity on our current position and our future goals. I would recommend it to anyone involved in family businesses." Will Vickers, CEO, Mary Randall Vickers & Co Ltd.
"Ken’s distinctive philosophy of natural governance helped us identify the strengths in our existing governance, hone them, and avoid cookie-cutter solutions. I am excited that one of the family business world’s best thinkers has decided to make his wisdom accessible to everyone." John Butters, Chairman, Hoburne Ltd.
"This book challenges the limitations of formal governance and the risk of imposing best practices. If family businesses wrote a book about how they function and how they would like to continue, I think they would have come up with what Ken McCracken has created." Martin Stepek, Bridging Business, Mindfulness, and Social Responsibility
"This book is based on a profound point that most family business advisers never consider. Enterprising families, by nature, already have a way of making decisions together that may not reflect their formal governance. Make sure you read this book. It’s perceptively argued, counter-cultural, and it’s needed." David W. Burleigh, Family Ownership Advisor, The Family Enterprise Office, LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio
"Ken draws on experience and wisdom to articulate an avant-garde idea that feels self-evident once expressed. Rather than imposing “best practices”, he explains how to respect and thoughtfully moderate existing governance that already works. This book brings humility, clarity and practical insight to a field often dominated by formulaic solutions." Gregoire Imfeld, One Family Governance, Geneva and Abu Dhabi
"Ken McCracken is a philosopher in action, offering profound insights into the overlooked realm of Natural Governance. While formal governance dominates most planning, he demonstrates how the two are intertwined and must be mastered together." Jeremy Cheng, PhD, Principal, Lansberg Gersick Advisors; Adjunct Assistant Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
"A thought-provoking book that takes us away from generic models and systems and instead champions the importance of understanding the peculiarity of each family when seeking to identify and advise." Richard Lane, Senior Partner, Farrer & Co, London
"Ken’s work is distinguished by a rare humility: he does not impose solutions, but listens deeply and helps clients discover what truly works for them. This book reflects that same generosity and wisdom." Anna Ránky and Levente Szabó, Budapest
"Ken is one of the most trusted and insightful voices in the world of family enterprise. His experience and curiosity help families understand themselves and their organisations with honesty and confidence. Everyone reading this book will benefit from his expertise in helping to build stronger family business governance." Neil Davy, CEO Family Business UK (FBUK)
"This important book makes the case for integrating formal governance structures with informal customs, assumptions, and expectations. It outlines a model that facilitates a holistic understanding of governance in a multi-general family enterprise." Judy Green, Ph.D, President, Family Firm Institute (FFI)
