Welcome to the April edition of LGA Insights for 2026!
As rising global uncertainty creates new complexities and opportunities for our clients and partners, now more than ever their enduring success will be grounded in proactive planning.
In this Edition, our colleague Neus Feliu explores the transition of independent directors from a mere “governance milestone” to a source of true strategic impact. While many families appoint external directors to tick a box of professionalization, Neus argues that their real value is only unlocked when they are embedded in a functional, coherent system—transforming the board from a silent witness into a powerful “safe container” that can navigate the complex intersection of family legacy and business ambitions.
We also share a reflective piece by Mika Mazor, who challenges the common perception of conflict within the family enterprise. While many families view tension as a threat to be avoided or suppressed, Mika argues that silence is often the more dangerous signal, one that masks deeper systemic vulnerabilities. By reframing conflict as a natural byproduct of a passionate, multi-generational system, she illustrates how families can move from “fake harmony” to “productive friction”—transforming difficult conversations into a vital source of strength, clarity, and renewed trust.
Lastly, we are thrilled to share with you a recent episode from Season 2 of the LGA Lighthouse Podcast! In this episode, host Tim Yeung sits down with Dr. Alex Auerbach, a performance psychologist who works with elite professional athletes and high-performing individuals. Alex shares powerful insights on how the principles of peak performance psychology can be applied to family enterprises to foster resilience and long-term success. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, as we continue to release new episodes in the coming weeks!
A sincere thank you to our global clients and partners for entrusting us to support their businesses, families and legacies; and, wish you and your families success in the months ahead!
Your LGA Global Team
From Presence to Impact
Making Independent Directors Matter in Family Enterprise Governance
By Neus Feliu
Introducing independent directors into a family enterprise is often perceived as a significant milestone in the evolution of governance. It signals openness, professionalization, and a willingness to incorporate external perspectives into decision-making.
Consider a board meeting of a third-generation family enterprise. The room is filled with talented family members who have spent their lives building the business and family legacy. The atmosphere is warm, the history is deep, but the conversation is circling. Beneath the surface lie pressures from a shifting market and differing views about a major acquisition. Certain questions remain only lightly touched, not because they lack importance, but because they intersect with decisions made in the past, with traditions that have served the enterprise well, and with a natural respect for the leadership that shaped its path.
At moments such as this, the presence of independent directors can be a powerful intervention…
When Silence Speaks
Are Family Business Conflicts a Threat or a Source of Strength?
By Mika Mazor
Introducing independent directors into a family enterprise is often perceived as a significant milestone in the evolution of governance. It signals openness, professionalization, and a willingness to incorporate external perspectives into decision-making.
Consider a board meeting of a third-generation family enterprise. The room is filled with talented family members who have spent their lives building the business and family legacy. The atmosphere is warm, the history is deep, but the conversation is circling. Beneath the surface lie pressures from a shifting market and differing views about a major acquisition. Certain questions remain only lightly touched, not because they lack importance, but because they intersect with decisions made in the past, with traditions that have served the enterprise well, and with a natural respect for the leadership that shaped its path.
At moments such as this, the presence of independent directors can be a powerful intervention…
LGA Lighthouse: Season 2, Episode 7
What Can Elite Performers Teach Your Family Business About Success?
In this episode, host Tim Yeung sits down with Dr. Alex Auerbach, a performance psychologist who works with elite professional athletes and high-performing individuals. Alex shares powerful insights on how the principles of peak performance psychology can be applied to family enterprises to foster resilience and long-term success.
Key Takeaway: To achieve long-term success, family enterprises must balance a relentless growth mindset with an unwavering belief in their natural strengths, while prioritizing strategic recovery and value-driven decision-making to sustain peak performance.
LGA Highlights: What We’re Reading, Watching, and Listening to This Month
In a rapidly shifting world, anticipating the future requires proactivity and perspective. That’s why our global team is on a journey of constant discovery and continuous learning in search of the latest ideas in business, leadership, family dynamics and beyond.
For this edition, we’ve curated the following list of resources that may be of interest—sparking new conversations across the team and expanding our thinking and work with client families:
- Think Again (Book): In an era of rapid change and entrenched positions, Wharton psychologist Adam Grant argues that “rethinking” is the most critical skill for long-term success. This book provides a framework for family enterprise leaders navigating the transition from a “founder’s mindset”, which often relies on conviction and past wins, to a “scientist’s mindset” that prioritizes humility and curiosity. Grant illustrates how the ability to unlearn outdated strategies and welcome dissenting opinions can prevent the “identity foreclosure” that often stalls innovation in multi-generational businesses.
- Elevator Systems (Podcast): Dedicated entirely to Bowen Theory, the podcast features three expert thinkers who demystify the core eight concepts through the lens of real-world challenges. It’s structured to be accessible for all levels of expertise, taking high-level theory and making it practical for family enterprise leaders and parents alike. Episodes conclude with curated resources and key takeaways for listeners to reflect on and apply in their respective systems.
- House of Guinness (Series): This historical Netflix drama explores the high-stakes aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death, the man responsible for the global success of the iconic brewery. Far more than a period piece, it showcases the inherent complexities of succession and the “post-founder” vacuum. As his four adult children navigate the specific instructions of his will, the series vividly illustrates how the sudden transition of power can ignite latent sibling rivalries and threaten the stability of a multi-generational legacy.
We hope you find these resources as inspiring and thought-provoking as we have. Please feel free to send us your favorites as well, as we are always on the lookout to gather and share great ideas!
Meet Our Newest Advisor
In our ongoing efforts to broaden our global impact and better meet the needs of our clients, we recently welcomed Kimberly as a new advisor to our growing global team. She brings a wealth of expertise and experience to her work with enterprising families.
Kimberly Go
Philippines
Kimberly Go is a family enterprise advisor specializing in next-generation engagement, intergenerational alignment, and governance in complex family systems. She works with multigenerational families through continuity, helping them address conflict, while guiding decision-making that balances collective legacy with individual agency.
Drawing on her lived experience as a member of a three-generation family business, Kimberly provides a peer-level perspective to clients navigating the evolution of identity and responsibility across generations. She specializes in surfacing sensitive or avoided topics and bridging perspectives to help families reach durable consensus.
Kimberly is Vice Chair and Publications Subcommittee Lead of the Family Firm Institute (FFI) Asian Circle and works with advisors and academics to develop thought leadership on family governance in Asia, bringing real-world cases and family narratives from the region into the field.
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