A. Have a backup plan B. Create separate spheres immediately C. Work somewhere else first D. Define your role and career path E. Climb the family ladder F. Adopt an office voice G. Seek independent feedback Working in the family business can be fraught. When your manager is also your parent, sibling, or another relative, how do you keep things professional? Do you ask to be treated the same way as others, or accept that you will have a different sort of relationship at the office? People who successfully work with family often say there is nothing more fulfilling or enriching. But when ordinary people get fired, they get another job. When a family member gets fired, they feel they've been fired from what they were born to be. 1 Experience in an outside firm should be a requirement before embarking on your career in the family business. You'll get invaluable training, improve your business judgment, and build your confidence. You'll also gain much-needed perspective on what you hope the arc of your career might look like. Starting off elsewhere is critical not just because of what you will learn in terms of capabilities but fundamentally, in getting to know yourself. 2 On day one when you return to the family business, set a boundary between family time and work time. Letting the two bleed into one another is a recipe for conflict. You don't want to talk about clients at Sunday dinner, or about family drama at the office. Create house rules about which family matters are permissible to talk about at the office and vice versa. It can be helpful to note which hat you're wearing before embarking on a conversation. For example, you can preface a discussion by saying, "I'm talking to you as your son right now, not your employee." If you feel your family member isn't respecting these boundaries, bring it up privately and immediately. 3 Make sure you have a crystal-clear understanding of your job description and that others know what role you fill. That way you'll avoid needlessly stepping on colleagues' toes or giving anyone the impression that you're resting on your laurels. Be transparent and proactive about your expectations and goals for the future, especially if you would like to hold the top job in the future. 4 Pay attention to the details of your interactions with family. Language matters tremendously. Actively listen and use a professional tone with one another—that way you don't make others feel excluded by your closeness or cause unnecessary squabbles when boundaries are breached. If calling your morn by her first name feels too awkward, for example, don't strain to do it, but consider using her given name when discussing her decisions with colleagues. 5 Getting candid input when you're the boss's son or daughter can be difficult, if not impossible. Assume you won't get good feedback. One expert suggests participating in the standard review process but always supplementing it with outside evaluations to ensure that you learn and grow on the job. One smart strategy is to tap an independent board member to evaluate your progress and performance so you can get smart career advice and reviews. Setting expectations early is one of the most important things when working with family. Separating work from home is key so you can have a healthy perspective.