In our latest episode, Dave Specht, Director of the Drucker School Global Family Business Institute and author of "The Family Business Whisperer," shares his insights on developing ownership mindsets across generations. With an expansive career that includes training over 2,500 advisors and bankers on family dynamics, founding Advising Generations, and establishing the Family Business Management program at the University of Nebraska, Dave brings a powerful blend of academic wisdom and practical experience to help families navigate the intricate path of generational continuity.

Throughout the conversation, Dave illuminates the delicate balance between protecting and empowering rising generations in family enterprises. He explores compelling perspectives on creating environments where future owners can authentically experience both success and failure, while emphasizing how transparency and shared challenges strengthen family bonds. His framework for developing true owners, not merely inheritors, provides valuable insights for families seeking to build enduring legacies that preserve relationships while fostering business resilience across generations.

About Dave Specht

Dave Specht is the Director of the Drucker School Global Family Business Institute. His professional mission is to Preserve Families and Perpetuate Businesses. He is the author of, “The Family Business Whisperer” and thought leader on topics surrounding generational continuity of family-owned businesses and family wealth. Prior to his current role, he trained 2,500 top advisors/bankers at a Private Bank on family dynamics and generational wealth issues. Prior to his work at the bank, he founded Advising Generations, a consulting rm and established the Family Business Management program at the University of Nebraska. Dave lives in Washington state with his wife and 6 children.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Family Business Whisperer
• James Hughes Foundation
• Dennis T. Jaffe

Contact Cory Gagnon | Beacon Family Office at Assante Financial Management Ltd.

• Website: BeaconFamilyOffice.com
• LinkedIn: Cory Gagnon
• LinkedIn: Beacon Family Office
• Email: beaconfamilyoffice@assante.com

Contact Dave Specht | The Drucker School of Management:

• LinkedIn: Dave Specht
• Email: david.specht@cgu.edu

In this episode, Doug Gray, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Action Learning Associates, LLC and co-Founder of Assess Next Gen, LLC, shares his expertise on fostering psychological capital (PsyCap) and intergenerational understanding within family enterprises. With over 25 years of experience and a deep background in leadership development, Doug explores how families can build stronger connections across generations while managing wealth and legacy dynamics.

Throughout the conversation, Doug delves into essential concepts like the HERO framework (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism) and practical approaches to family storytelling and legacy preservation. He emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for authentic communication, developing leadership skills in rising generations, and balancing family privacy with meaningful connection. Listen to our latest episode to hear Doug's insights on building psychological capital, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and implementing strategies that help families flourish while preserving their legacy.

About Doug Gray

Doug Gray, Ph.D., is the Founder and CEO of Action Learning Associates, LLC and co-Founder of Assess Next Gen, LLC, bringing over 25 years of executive coaching and leadership consulting experience to family enterprises and organizations. With a doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University, Doug has established himself as a pioneer in developing psychological capital (PsyCap) within family businesses and nurturing next-generation leadership talent. His innovative HERO framework (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism) has become instrumental in helping families navigate complex wealth and legacy dynamics.

As a champion for leadership excellence and intergenerational understanding, Doug's expertise spans across healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and education sectors. His approach combines rigorous academic research with practical, actionable strategies that help families create safe spaces for authentic communication and legacy preservation. Through his work at Action Learning Associates and Assess Next Gen, Doug remains dedicated to helping leaders and teams achieve measurable business outcomes while fostering the development of future organizational leaders.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Five Capitals: Wealth as Well-being
• The Success Playbook for Next Gen Family Business Leaders

Contact Cory Gagnon | Beacon Family Office at Assante Financial Management Ltd.

• Website: BeaconFamilyOffice.com
• LinkedIn: Cory Gagnon
• LinkedIn: Beacon Family Office
• Email: beaconfamilyoffice@assante.com

Contact Doug Gray | Action Learning Associates, LLC

Websites

• NextGenPeerGroups.com
• AssessNextGen.com
• Action-Learning.com
• books2read.com/NEXTGEN
  
• LinkedIn: Doug Gray
• Substack: grayd.substack.com
• Twitter/X: @ALACoaching
• Email: doug@action-learning.com

In our latest episode, Daphne McGuffin of D3 Learning Solutions explores the transformative power of continuous learning and self-discovery in family enterprises. She introduces groundbreaking frameworks that help families move from uncertainty to confident action, including her "Line of Confidence" model that guides families through the crucial stages of learning, alignment, and implementation. Through her work at D3 Learning Solutions, Daphne demonstrates how understanding individual instincts and natural abilities can revolutionize how families approach succession and governance.

Throughout the conversation, Daphne delves into the relationship between personal development and collective growth in family businesses, particularly through her innovative "Positive Outcome Model." She illuminates how families can overcome historical patterns and conflicting work styles by understanding conative instincts and building socio-emotional wealth. Her approach emphasizes the importance of creating structured yet flexible learning environments where different generations can align their values while honouring individual differences, providing a roadmap for families seeking to build lasting legacies that bridge both personal fulfillment and business success.

About Daphne McGuffin

Daphne McGuffin is a seasoned Learning and Development Consultant and Family Business Facilitator at D3 Learning Solutions, bringing over two decades of experience in family enterprise advising. After directing the Learning Centre and Thought Leadership divisions at The BDO / SuccessCare Program for nearly 20 years, she established D3 Learning Solutions to help business families transition both tangible and intangible assets through practical approaches, focusing on multi-generational communication, governance, successor development, and leadership planning.

As a Kolbe Certified Consultant for more than 15 years and a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute (FFI), Daphne leverages her expertise to identify core instincts of family members and management teams, enhancing their productivity and relationships. Her distinguished role as a faculty member for FFI's Global Education Network, the world's most trusted provider of family enterprise professional education, further cements her position as a leading expert in the field of family enterprise consulting.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• kolbe.com
• OPgig Program
• What is Kolbe and Why Use It
• The Power of Kolbe in the Family Enterprise
• The Line of Confidence Model
• The Positive Outcome Model

Contact Cory Gagnon | Beacon Family Office at Assante Financial Management Ltd.

• Website: BeaconFamilyOffice.com
• LinkedIn: Cory Gagnon
• LinkedIn: Beacon Family Office
• Email: beaconfamilyoffice@assante.com

Contact Daphne McGuffin | D3 Learning Solutions:

• Website: D3LearningSolutions.com
• LinkedIn: Daphne McGuffin
• Email: Daphne@D3LearningSolutions.com
• Phone: (519) 820-1806