“It’s a must-read, particularly because of the focus on emotions which is the most important part and which most family business books do not tackle.” —Maria Elena Lagomasino, CEO and managing partner, WE Family Offices

“Refreshingly honest . . . Sonneveld’s strength is making abstract emotional challenges feel tangible . . . offer[ing] tools, not just theory. A standout . . . This book is essential if you’re in a family business, work with one, or are trying to avoid becoming your family’s next cautionary tale.” —Manhattan Book Review

“Dealing with business-owning families means mastering human behaviors and sensitivities diligently and managing the interface between family and business governance while honoring the legacy and values that are the backbone of any enterprise. René Sonneveld masterfully guides the reader through the many behavioral aspects that, if left unchecked, can derail any successful business and jeopardize the very foundation of a family’s overall well-being. It's a practitioner’s guide and a must-read for all families facing intergenerational transitions.” —Dr. Kurt Moosmann, executive vice chairman of Elsa Peretti Holding Ltd. and president of the Swiss Single Family Office Association

“Essential advice from a deeply experienced practitioner who provides real-world observations and guidance.” —Alan F. Heath, chairman and CEO of Wind River Trust Company

“René Sonneveld has, in The Elephant in the Family Room, generously shared his decades of experience working with global wealth and business owners. The role of a coach is well suited to helping families navigate what are too often referred to as the ‘soft’ issues—the internal personal and family dynamics that can derail both the family and its business and investment interests. René highlights these and provides examples and tools that address how families can achieve their potential and the potential of each individual family member. Well-written and engaging, René’s work is a valuable resource not only for wealthy and business-owning families, but for the advisors they work with, who all too often neglect to focus on the uncomfortable elephants in the family room.” —Philip Marcovici, author of The Destructive Power of Family Wealth and The Transformative Power of Family Wealth

“In family enterprises, what remains unsaid often shapes what endures. Having spent decades inside the emotional architecture of business families, I found that this book gives voice to rare truths that shape legacy, trust, and leadership across generations. René Sonneveld offers us the courage to look inward and the tools to navigate what truly matters.” —Shweta Handa-Gupta, board chair of ICF Global and chief innovator at QuadraBrain® Transformation Solutions

“The Elephant in the Family Room is a profound and necessary book—one that speaks to the emotional realities behind the strategy, governance, and legacy of family businesses. René Sonneveld brings clarity, empathy, and rare insight to the challenges that so many families face, yet so few dare to name. His work is both a compass and a mirror, guiding families not just to survive, but to grow with honesty, purpose, and connection. Every family business leader—and advisor—should read this book.” —Ruben Azar, executive chairman of Grupo RAS

“This book is fantastic and among the best written on the complex issues of family-owned businesses . . . The tone is reflective of René’s vast experience and his concerned and generous personality. Brilliant!” —James Stewart, founding partner of Clairmont Trust Company

“René Sonneveld’s The Elephant in the Family Room offers practical and emotionally intelligent solutions for business families facing internal challenges that go beyond spreadsheets and shareholder agreements. Drawing from his firsthand experience of coaching business families worldwide, Sonneveld addresses threats like resentment, fear, mistrust, ego, and envy. He presents a compelling argument that the longevity of a family business depends not just on good governance and estate planning, but on the family’s capacity to confront and manage its emotional undercurrents. Weaving together neuroscience, psychology, and family systems theory, Sonneveld demystifies how unconscious behavior patterns shape decision-making and often perpetuate conflict . . . The Elephant in the Family Room serves as both a mirror and a manual for enterprise families seeking to harmonize their emotional and financial goals. Rather than viewing interpersonal tensions as liabilities, Sonneveld reframes them as opportunities for growth, transformation, and legacy stewardship. His approach equips family leaders and their advisors with a more holistic toolkit—one that integrates emotional fluency with structural rigor to ensure business continuity and relational healing across generations.” —Joseph Kellogg, head of wealth planning, WE Family Offices

“With an elegant intertwining of both strategic complexity and emotional dynamics common in family business, Sonneveld captures the essence of family enterprises. The stories in each chapter elucidate the best practices he has honed from decades of personal experience as an advisor, leadership coach, and even a member of both his own and his wife’s family business, and he offers suggestions and reflection questions to deepen the reader’s learning. What really stands out is his acute sensitivity to cultural tensions, a lens he can uniquely bring as a true citizen of the world.” —Cathy Carroll, author of Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business with both Love and Logic

“A fascinating and informative book for those who have family businesses, those who advise family businesses, and frankly, anyone who navigates the complex emotional space of their own family decision-making. René artfully shares family stories of struggles and successes from around the globe while injecting wisdom and guideposts for how to navigate the thorniest of family issues. We all can gain insight into the deeper motivations that drive how we relate and work with each other so that we can build healthier, stronger bonds personally and professionally.” —Sandra L. Stewart, president of SLS Coaching & Consulting and author of Building the Core Competencies of Change

“René Sonneveld does a masterful job at painting the complex and turbulent picture of how emotions permeate and impact every aspect of family enterprises and underlie the unique challenges—and opportunities—family members face as they work together, and it offers families a time-tested roadmap and a set of practical tools for achieving long-term success, fulfillment, and harmony.” —Peter Moustakerski, CEO of FOX Family Office Exchange

“What most shines through in The Elephant in the Family Room is Sonneveld’s clear and dispassionate analysis of the case studies he presents with an enlightened compassion, born of a long and wide-ranging professional and personal journey. He sets out to help others navigate the often treacherous waters of attending to the transition of a family business to its younger members.” —Maxi Gainza, writer and business owner

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