Myths and Mortals

Chapter 7Feed the FamilyCaring for relationships, caring for the business

Jean Moran earned the title the enforcer honestly when she terminated the employment of her younger brother.

The second child in the family, Virginia (Jean) succeeded her father as CEO of LMI Packaging Solutions, an innovator of flexible lidding solutions for food packaging that has partnered with food industry leaders like Coca-Cola, Kraft, and Procter & Gamble.

Early in her rise to leadership, Jean faced family challenges that she calls “exhausting.” Smart, responsible, and resourceful—Jean's leadership qualities were apparent in her teen years, and soon she had the ear of her father. He began to confide in her.

“The relationship he could have had with a first born son, or my younger brother,” Jean says, “he had with me.” Jean spent her free time with him at his work, while her siblings did things that were more normal for their ages. Jean earned her father's respect as a young adult, solving complex problems at work that her father refused to solve for her: “You're a smart girl. You'll figure it out.” And she would.

But some conundrums aren't easy to solve, especially when family is involved. “I think that it was tough for my younger brother.” Jean says, “because I was the ‘son’ that took over the business.” When the department he managed failed to perform, Jean fired her brother. Although it was ultimately the right decision, she says, “I went about it the wrong way, and blindsided him. He was shocked. ...