Continuity Model Generation

Fundamental Meta-Framework

Clarity around, and commitment to, the four frameworks that make up the fundamental meta-framework is paramount. Without this clarity and commitment, use of the other five meta-frameworks will likely not gain traction.

Four Trust Dimensions

Trust underpins everything. My observations of countless family enterprises have confirmed that without an understanding of trust there is a limited chance of continuity. Like all big topics, trust must be broken down. The trust literature, not surprisingly, is vast, but what is agreed on is that there are four dimensions of trust. Multiple research projects I've worked on in recent years confirm this, as does my own personal understanding of and experience with trust. The four trust dimensions are integrity, ability, benevolence, and consistency, as summarized below:

• Integrity: the quality of being good; having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
• Ability: the possession of the means or skill to do something.
• Benevolence: the desire to do good for others; goodwill; charitableness.
• Consistency: the quality of always behaving or performing in a similar way.

When shared with practitioners, students, and others, these dimensions pass what we Australians call the “pub test”: they are quickly of intuitive appeal, once explained. The best way to establish this is to ask an individual to “think of someone that you don't trust”; then, after a short time follow up with, “I'll now tell you why you don't trust ...