The Elephant in the Family Room

""It's a must-read, particularly because of the focus on emotions, which is the most important part and which most family business books do not tackle."" -Maria Elena Lagomasino, CEO and managing partner, WE Family Offices ""Refreshingly honest . . . Sonneveld's strength is making abstract emotional challenges feel tangible . . . A standout . . . This book is essential if you're in a family business, work with one, or are trying to avoid becoming your family's next cautionary tale."" -Manhattan Book Review ""Dealing with business-owning families means mastering human behaviors and sensitivities diligently and managing the interface between family and business governance while honoring the legacy and values that are the backbone of any enterprise. René Sonneveld masterfully guides the reader through the many behavioral aspects that, if left unchecked, can derail any successful business and jeopardize the very foundation of a family's overall well-being. It's a practitioner's guide and a must-read for all families facing intergenerational transitions."" -Dr. Kurt Moosmann, executive vice chairman of Elsa Peretti Holding Ltd. and president of the Swiss Single Family Office Association ""Essential advice from a deeply experienced practitioner who provides real-world observations and guidance."" -Alan F. Heath, chairman and CEO of Wind River Trust Company ""René Sonneveld has, in The Elephant in the Family Room, generously shared his decades of experience working with global wealth and business owners. The role of a coach is well suited to helping families navigate what are too often referred to as the 'soft' issues-the internal personal and family dynamics that can derail both the family and its business and investment interests. René highlights these and provides examples and tools that address how families can achieve their potential and the potential of each individual family member. Well-written and engaging, René's work is a valuable resource not only for wealthy and business-owning families, but for the advisors they work with, who all too often neglect to focus on the uncomfortable elephants in the family room."" -Philip Marcovici, author of The Destructive Power of Family Wealth and The Transformative Power of Family Wealth ""In family enterprises, what remains unsaid often shapes what endures. Having spent decades inside the emotional architecture of business families, I found that this book gives voice to rare truths that shape legacy, trust, and leadership across generations. René Sonneveld offers us the courage to look inward and the tools to navigate what truly matters."" -Shweta Handa-Gupta, board chair of ICF Global and chief innovator at QuadraBrain(R) Transformation Solutions ""The Elephant in the Family Room is a profound and necessary book-one that speaks to the emotional realities behind the strategy, governance, and legacy of family businesses. René Sonneveld brings clarity, empathy, and rare insight to the challenges that so many families face, yet so few dare to name. His work is both a compass and a mirror, guiding families not just to survive, but to grow with honesty, purpose, and connection. Every family business leader-and advisor-should read this book.""-Ruben Azar, executive chairman of Grupo RAS