EFBC Member President’s Message:

The Courage to Disagree

Hello again,

Joel Spencer here with your next President’s Message.

In September, I mentioned The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, a framework many of us in EFBC are familiar with. We explored the first dysfunction in absence of trust. Today, I want to talk about the second, which is a fear of conflict.

When trust is strong, people feel safe enough to speak their minds. But when that trust is shaky or never fully formed, teams avoid real conversations, and we settle for false harmony.

For many of us, that’s not surprising. We’ve been trained, consciously or not, to keep the peace. Don’t make waves, don’t challenge the group, and there’s often even an unspoken agreement: Don’t cause conflict for me, and I won’t cause conflict for you.

That silent agreement can feel like protection, but it’s actually a trap. Because when we avoid conflict, we avoid clarity. We dodge the truth, and that sacrifices alignment and growth.

But conflict, when it’s rooted in trust and purpose, isn’t dysfunction — it’s discipline. It’s how teams clarify what matters, it’s how we as leaders grow, and it’s how organizations break through to the next level.

So here’s what I want to offer this month:
It’s a reminder that disagreement doesn’t have to be divisive — it can be clarifying. What it means is that people care enough to be uncomfortable. It means that they’re paying attention. And the most effective leaders and the most cohesive teams don’t fear conflict. They embrace it with respect, structure, and a shared intent.

So ask yourself:

• Is there a conversation you’ve been avoiding?

• Is there tension hiding under the surface, pretending to be alignment?

• Is there someone on your team who needs to know it’s okay to speak up?

At EFBC, we talk about vulnerability and growth, and this is where they meet.
Let’s keep building trust. Let’s welcome the kind of conflict that makes us stronger. And let’s keep growing as leaders, even when the conversations are hard.

Thank you for being part of this community.
I’ll see you soon.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

EFBC Member President’s Message:

Building on Trust

Hello again,

Joel Spencer here, back with the third installment of our President’s Message.

So far, we’ve talked about momentum, the energy that gets us moving, and intention, which gives that movement purpose. This month, I want to talk about something even more foundational, trust.

If you’ve read the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, you know that trust sits at the very bottom of the pyramid. It’s the foundation, and when it’s missing, everything else can break down.

Without trust, we tend to avoid healthy conflict. Without conflict, we get surface-level commitments. And without those commitments, we stop holding each other accountable. And when there’s a lack of accountability, results can suffer.

But let’s be clear. Trust in the team isn’t about being polite or nice. It’s about vulnerability.

A trusted environment is 1 where people can raise concerns, challenge ideas, and speak up without the fear of judgment or backlash. And it’s not from a place of resistance, but from a place of shared ownership. And when people feel heard, even if the final decision isn’t what they hoped for, they’re much more likely to buy in.

That’s where trust begins, and that’s where real teams start to form.

So here’s my challenge for this month. Where is trust strong in your business right now? And where is it fraying? Are there conversations you’ve been avoiding? Tension going unspoken? Are there gaps in communication that need to be addressed?

Trust doesn’t get built in an all-hands meeting or in strategy decks. It gets built in small moments, the honest conversations, the hard feedback, and the willingness to listen.

Trust is a cornerstone of EFBC’s success and a major reason why our forums are so impactful. They give us the space to practice vulnerability, accountability, and have real support.

Do you have that kind of trust in your business?

Let’s keep building momentum. Let’s keep leading with intention, and let’s keep building teams that are rooted in trust.

Thank you all for being a part of this community, and I’ll see you soon.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

The Advantages of a Peer-to-Peer Network

Running a business can be rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. Leaders are often expected to know all the answers, even in the face of challenges they’ve never encountered before. That’s why one of the greatest advantages of a peer-to-peer network is knowing you don’t have to go it alone.

At EFBC, members find more than networking—they find a trusted circle of peers who share experiences, offer perspective, and help each other grow as leaders and as people.

A Place of Safety and Sharing

EFBC is grounded in the Forum experience, where members meet in small groups to work through real business and personal challenges. As partner Deanna of Cray Kaiser put it:

“It is a place of safety. It is a place of sharing of best practices. It is really a community.”

In these safe, confidential spaces, leaders can be open about struggles and gain insight from those who have walked similar paths. That shared experience is one of the clearest advantages of a peer-to-peer network.

Learning and Growth Beyond the Classroom

Business ownership doesn’t come with a manual—but peers provide wisdom you can’t find in textbooks.

Brian McIlwee, an EFBC member since 1998, explained:
“It’s an organization that allows business executives to continue to learn and grow and develop as leaders.”

EFBC empowers members by focusing on emotional intelligence, education, and peer connections. This blend of professional and personal growth sets peer-to-peer learning apart from traditional business education.

Real Solutions for Real Problems

Each month, EFBC members bring challenges to their Forum groups. Whether it’s succession planning, conflict resolution, or scaling a company, the process is practical and impactful.

As Adriana Osorio of Osorio Metals shared:
“Each member once a month presents and we do a lot of problem solving. We give feedback. Everything is confidential.”

Peers don’t hand out prescriptions—they share how they’ve overcome similar situations, giving members tools to make their own decisions. Or, as Brian put it:
“It’s, here’s some options of how I’ve gotten through something. That allows them to make their own decision.”

Personal and Professional Transformation

The advantages of a peer-to-peer network go far beyond business tactics. Members often find that EFBC impacts their entire lives.

Bob Giammanco of 2XL Corporation reflected:
“The EFBC brought to me shared experiences with other members that really moved the needle for my business. And it created a jump in my personal and in my professional growth.”

From reducing stress, to becoming a better leader, parent, or spouse, members consistently point to the holistic benefits of being part of EFBC.

More Than Business

Perhaps the most powerful takeaway is that EFBC is not about transactional networking.

As Deanna summed up:
“This is not about getting business. This is about getting better at your business.”

Or, as Brian said:
“It’s like having a board of directors for not only just the business, but for life.”

That’s the essence of EFBC: a trusted circle of peers who are committed to helping each other succeed in business and in life.

Learn More About EFBC
At the Entrepreneur and Family Business Council (EFBC), we equip business owners and their families with the peer support, education, and resources they need to succeed for generations.

Get in touch with us to learn more about membership or upcoming programs.

EFBC Member President’s Message:

Joel Spencer on Intention

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the second installment of the President’s Message.

Last month, I talked about momentum—how we build energy, surround ourselves with the right people, and create forward movement in our leadership and our lives.

This month, I want to shift gears and talk about something just as important: intention. Momentum gets us going, intention keeps us headed in the right direction. And the reality is, staying intentional as a leader can be hard. There’s always a fire to put out, meetings to run, and hard decisions that we have to make. It’s easy to stay busy and somehow still feel like we’re drifting.

But when we pause, even briefly, we create space to think. For me, that pause often comes through something simple called the clarity break, which is just dedicated time to step away from the noise and reconnect with what matters most.

We’ve all had those moments where clarity hits during some downtime. Maybe it’s on a drive, sitting with a cup of coffee, or just walking without distractions. These moments can be rare if we don’t make time for them, and it can be hard to carve out that time consistently, yet they lead to important discoveries and direction as leaders.

That small investment of time helps me refocus and lead with greater purpose in my business.

So this month, I want to challenge all of us:

• don’t just move,

• take a break and ask yourself, why am I doing this?

• What outcome do I really want?

• And how do I show up in the process?

The EFBC is here to support that kind of leadership. We’re a community where leaders think more clearly, connect more deeply, and lead more intentionally.

So let’s keep building momentum, let’s keep leading with intention, and let’s keep showing up for ourselves and each other.

Thank you for being part of this community, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Have a good day.

Joel Spencer
EFBC President 2025-2026

Working With Siblings: Tips for Building Strong Family Business Relationships

At EFBC, family businesses are at the heart of what we do. More than 70% of our members are actively involved in their family business — and many work directly with their siblings.

Working with siblings can be rewarding, but it comes with unique challenges. From balancing family dynamics to maintaining professionalism, it’s a journey that requires trust, communication, and boundaries. We asked EFBC members to share their best tips for making sibling partnerships thrive in business. Here are their top three:

1. Communicate Honestly and Consistently

“My brothers and I meet monthly for lunch and follow the forum protocol by updating on family, personal and business challenges, or successes. We ask clarifying questions when necessary. While we are working, we shift hats a lot – from owners to siblings – and this takes some diligence. Especially when there are difficult or emotional conversations! Trust is a critical component of our success, and we continue to build trust by talking with each other, relying on each other, and caring for each other.”

— Gina Krusinski, Krusinski Construction Company, Owner and VP Human Resources

2. Seek Outside Perspective When Needed

“The best advice I have is that sometimes you need outside help. In a multi-generational family business, you only know what you know. It helps to bring in a set of fresh eyes to merge the goals of different generations within siblings. One sibling’s goals may be very different than another. When working on a strategic plan, 3 or 5 year, it’s important to examine all sibling goals with someone outside the family business in order to achieve alignment and understand what everyone is working toward for the future.”

— Susan Jania-Foley, Diamond Envelope Corporation, CEO

3. Prioritize the Relationship

“Having a healthy sibling relationship is the forefront of my priority, because at the end of the day, that family relationship will always come first for me with Andy. I believe that having open communication on ALL aspects of the business is integral. There should be no surprises! The other aspect of having a successful working relationship that I follow is professionalism. When stepping into the office every morning, my brother becomes my manager, associate, teammate, etc. Just as I would with any other colleague, I maintain a high level of professionalism with him at the workplace. Our discussions regarding personal matters are kept to a minimum at the office. It has been 1 ½ years since I have been working with Andy and feel that our business and personal relationship has been the strongest!”

— Nisha Patel, Systematics, Inc. Director of Human Resources

The Bottom Line

EFBC members show that working with siblings can be a source of strength when approached with honesty, outside perspective, and professionalism. While not always easy, it can be both rewarding and successful — for the business and for the family.

Learn More About EFBC
At the Entrepreneur and Family Business Council (EFBC), we equip business owners and their families with the peer support, education, and resources they need to succeed for generations.

Get in touch with us to learn more about membership or upcoming programs.