In this episode, Adam welcomes Peter Bissonnette, former President of Shaw Communications and author of 'Count On Me: My Life Lessons and Legacy as a Former President of Shaw Communications.' Peter shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to leading a multi-billion dollar family business. Despite facing emotional hardships and growing up in humble beginnings, Peter developed an unwavering faith in himself and others. This faith, coupled with life lessons, fueled his rise in the corporate world without succumbing to ruthless business practices.

The conversation covers the value of mentorship, the importance of a strong work ethic, and the philosophy of being a 'Good Shepherd' in leadership. Peter also touches on the importance of creating lasting legacies and the role of family trusts in supporting future generations. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone questioning their ability to lead or overcome past wounds.

00:00 Introduction to Peter Bissonnette's Journey

02:33 Early Life and Family Struggles

05:14 Boarding School Experiences

09:25 Finding Strength and Mentors

15:09 Career Beginnings and Mentorship

19:55 Transition to Family Businesses

31:55 The Influence of JR and Family Values

34:00 Scaling the Business and Maintaining Values

36:08 Leadership and Team Dynamics

38:50 Navigating Family and Business Challenges

47:33 Legacy and Generational Trust

52:05 Writing the Memoir: Count on Me

57:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Buy Peter's book, "Count On Me: My Life, Lessons, and Legacy as a Former President of Shaw Communications"n

In this episode, we dive into the world of conflict mediation with Katie Kolon, who transitioned from an attorney to a mediator to help businesses, especially family-owned ones, navigate their conflicts before they escalate into costly litigation. Katie shares her journey, insights, and practical strategies for handling disputes, fostering understanding, and strengthening relationships in business settings.

She emphasizes the importance of addressing conflicts early and with intention to build trust and ensure long-term success. Tune in to learn about the process of mediation, the critical role of dignity in conflict resolution, and the actionable steps that businesses can take to manage tensions and plan for smooth successions.

This episode is essential for anyone involved in managing family businesses and looking to transform conflict into growth opportunities.

00:00 Introduction to Conflict in Family Business

00:19 Meet Katie Kolon: From Attorney to Mediator

02:10 Katie's Background and Early Career

05:12 Navigating Small Town Dynamics

14:05 Transition to Mediation and Conflict Resolution

18:35 The Mediation Process Explained

21:53 Challenges in Mediation

25:16 Reframing Conflict for Growth

32:01 Succession Planning and Dignity

35:54 Conclusion and Contact Information
Find Katie HERE: https://www.mutual-ground.com/

In this episode of Fearless Family Business, the focus is on succession planning from various perspectives: passing the business to the next generation, selling it to another entity, and everything in between. Adam emphasizes the importance of having a succession plan regardless of the business's current situation and shares key steps to ensure seamless leadership and ownership transitions.

Topics covered include placing the right people in the right roles, identifying future leaders early, creating a leadership development pipeline, documenting vision and processes, and creating a timeline for transition. Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of building financial, human, structural, customer, and social capital to enhance the business's value and ensure a smooth and valuable transition.

00:00 Introduction to Succession Planning

00:34 The Importance of Succession Planning

01:14 Steps to Create a Bulletproof Succession Plan

03:33 Leadership Succession: Key Steps

10:57 Identifying and Developing Future Leaders

16:50 Documenting Vision and Values

19:01 Defining the Transition Timeline

23:11 Ownership Transition Strategies

23:47 Building Inherent Value in Your Business

26:44 The Five Capitals of Business Value

32:21 Summary and Final Thoughts