Transforming Leadership with Generative Listening

What allows one family business to survive and thrive for more than 125 years while so many others disappear within a generation or two?

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Michael Palumbos sits down with Mike Young of Wiggis & Young to explore how a fourth-generation farming family transformed its business through innovation, stewardship, and long-term thinking. Mike shares the story of his family’s evolution from California agriculture into vertically integrated businesses and ultimately into a modern family office structure.

The conversation dives deep into succession, family governance, communication, and the mindset required to preserve both relationships and wealth across generations. Mike also discusses the emotional decision to exit most of the family farmland, why stewardship matters more than ownership, and how healthy family dynamics helped the business navigate reinvention without losing its legacy.

This episode offers practical insights for family business owners, next-generation leaders, and multi-generational families looking to balance growth, continuity, and purpose across generations.

Next Generation Leadership Leadership & Culture

“Legacies aren’t something that we leave for people. They’re something that we leave in people.”

Mike Young

Key Takeaways

➜ Long-term family business success requires constant reinvention.
Mike Young’s family evolved from traditional farming into vertically integrated manufacturing, water infrastructure, technology, and eventually a family office. Their willingness to adapt allowed the business to continue growing across four generations.

➜ Stewardship matters more than ownership.
One of the most powerful themes in the episode is the idea that wealth is not truly “ours” to keep. Mike explains how his family views themselves as stewards responsible for protecting opportunities for future generations.

➜ Healthy communication prevents generational breakdowns.
The Young family’s ability to communicate openly, mentor younger generations, and work through difficult conversations has helped them avoid many of the common conflicts that destroy family businesses.

➜ Succession works best when leadership transitions happen gradually.
Rather than clinging to control, older generations in Mike’s family intentionally acted as coaches and mentors, allowing younger family members to experiment, fail, learn, and eventually lead.

➜ Legacy is built through relationships, not just financial success.
Mike emphasizes that the true legacy of a family business is not land, money, or assets — it’s the values, trust, and relationships passed down through generations.

Guests Appearing in this Episode

Mike Young
Fourth-generation family business leader and entrepreneur focused on stewardship, succession, and building lasting multi-generational legacies.