{"id":853,"date":"2011-02-08T06:00:46","date_gmt":"2011-02-08T06:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scottcochrane.com\/?p=853"},"modified":"2011-03-22T03:27:15","modified_gmt":"2011-03-22T03:27:15","slug":"should-you-hire-family-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scottcochrane.com\/index.php\/2011\/02\/08\/should-you-hire-family-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Hire Family Members?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"sedin<\/p>\n

I get asked this question all the time<\/span>, especially when people glance at our staff list and recognize that we have family members on our team.<\/p>\n

Let me state right up front that my response today is not based on a \u201cleadership principle\u201d. These are simply questions I\u2019ve thought through carefully in our hiring practices.<\/p>\n

So even as we enter this conversation let me urge you to simply work your way through these questions as you consider your own position on hiring family.<\/p>\n

1. <\/strong>What do the \u201cexperts\u201d say about hiring family?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my reading the jury is still out. Many leaders I respect say to never hire family members, because it can lead to office jealousies, blurring of family\/employment lines etc. Others strongly encourage the practice, citing reasons of shared culture, loyalty, and so on.<\/p>\n

2. <\/strong>Are there biblical examples to draw on?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes\u2026on both sides of the conversation. Proponents point to successful ministry teams comprised of brothers, such as Moses and Aaron, Peter and Andrew, James and John. Others point out that, from a ministry point of view, Joseph\u2019s relationship with his 11 brothers was just a tad dysfunctional.<\/p>\n

3. <\/strong>What\u2019s the best<\/em> part of hiring family?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my experience there is shared culture, history, loyalty, even humour.<\/p>\n

4. <\/strong>What are the risks?<\/strong><\/p>\n