Why a company is not a family — and how companies can bond with their employees instead

Unravel the myth of the corporate 'family' and explore a fresh perspective on fostering meaningful relationships within the workplace. Discover how companies can cultivate a sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees, without blurring professional boundaries.

Misusing the “family” metaphor at work can lead to dysfunction

When companies overuse the word “family,” it can actually do damage to company culture and morale

• A company is not a family, and a company should not try to be a family
• The results of pushing for family levels of commitment can damage company culture
• Steps to prevent dysfunction

Celebrate departures

Departing employees should be celebrated, seen as alumni who represent the organization even in their new endeavors

• Treating departing employees well can motivate those who are staying
• Employees should want to be part of a team that is bonded by a common purpose and built on trust and respect

Work-life boundaries get blurred

Many of the organizations that emphasize being a family end up taking actions that blur the lines between work and life for their employees

• Before the pandemic, companies touted free food, dry cleaning, happy hours, and other amenities designed to make life as easy as possible – as long as people never left work

Redefine Your Purpose

One of the most potent ways to bond a team is by pointing to their so-called “superordinate” goals – goals that are so big they require collaboration.

• Most organizations write abstract mission statements that can be difficult for employees to connect with. It falls on team leaders to translate that lofty mission into one that unites and motivates people.

Committed employees can be taken advantage of

When companies ove emphasize the family metaphor, the next step is asking for a family-level commitment from employees

• One project after another gets taken on, without considering existing workloads and making it difficult for employees to say no
• Overcommitted employees may be asked to go beyond overwork and commit ethically shaky actions

Encourage boundaries

The only way to ensure that people stay productive in a way that’s sustainable is to make sure every employee enjoys down time as well

• More and more companies are experimenting with ways to reinforce boundaries such as forbidding email after-hours, moving to four-day workweeks or even paying people to take their vacation time

Departing employees get labeled as betrayers

In organizations that overemphasize family, it becomes easy for leaders to label to departures as a form of betrayal

• This mindset can actually limit a company
• Research shows former colleagues that stay connected become potent sources of new knowledge for each other and for their new employers

What’s wrong with being a team instead of a family?

Strong teams deliver exactly that

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