Family businesses are never short on drama. Sometimes, the stories are even more entertaining than Netflix series. The difference is that the characters are real family members. The stakes involve enormous sums of money.

Take, for example, “The Saputras Billion Dollar Empire”, a comedy video by Supercoolben posted on YouTube. The story begins with a succession dilemma all too familiar to family businesses: a father refuses to hand over his business empire to his eldest son, Bobby, whom he considers lazy and undisciplined. Instead, he appoints Dodi, Bobby’s hardworking younger brother, to lead the company. This means Dodi becomes Bobby’s boss.

Then came the twist. Dodi suddenly disappeared, while Bobby turned into a model employee. He arrived early, worked diligently, and impressed his father. Just as his father began to reconsider his judgment, the truth came out: Bobby had kidnapped Dodi and hidden him in the trunk of the car!

Absurd? Yes. It is, after all, a comedy. How it ends doesn’t really matter. But if you think about it more seriously, there’s a lesson to be learned. When succession becomes a competition to win parental approval, the family business is in trouble.

It’s Not Just About Choosing the Right Person

In many family businesses, succession isn’t just about finding the most capable person to lead. It also involves family hierarchies, parental expectations, sibling rivalry, and the desire to gain more attention through various means.

Bobby wants the throne, but he seems reluctant to work hard. Yet this is a non-negotiable requirement. In contrast, Dodi earned his position because his father appreciated his hard work and discipline. This is where Bobby feels threatened by his younger brother.

The two brothers were caught up in a family dynamic where leadership was treated as a prize to be won, rather than a responsibility to be earned.

Dodi was chosen because of his stronger work ethic. That makes sense, of course. However, had the succession process been formulated fairly and transparently beforehand, including the criteria for who was eligible to lead? Were the two brothers evaluated based on clear criteria, or were they merely competing for their father’s approval? Ideally, the answer regarding succession should have been clear before the older generation stepped down. We must avoid favoritism or falling into false assumptions—such as linking a child’s birth order to their ability to manage the business.

Don’t Let Family Drama Control Your Business

The video deliberately exaggerates sibling rivalry to the point of absurdity. In real life, the impact may not be immediately apparent, but the cost is far greater.

A sibling might withhold information, belittle their sibling in front of employees, keep important connections for themselves, or secretly sabotage a rival’s initiatives. It doesn’t have to come to the point where someone is locked in the trunk of a car.

Keep in mind—and there’s plenty of evidence to support this—that the oldest child isn’t necessarily the best successor. The same goes for younger children. Every child has their own talents and interests.

Leadership should be evaluated based on competence, integrity, readiness, and the ability to serve the business—not on birth order or favoritism.

For siblings, there is one equally important principle: your siblings are not competitors in the race for the family inheritance. You must both preserve the legacy together.

The Saputra family business might survive Bobby’s outrageous schemes—at least in a comedy video. In the real world, family businesses aren’t necessarily that lucky.

Ultimately, the goal of succession isn’t about who’s best at winning their parents’ favor to secure their blessing. The true goal of succession is to ensure the business remains strong even as leadership changes. Equally important is that siblings remain on good terms.

Source Video: supercoolben & ‎⁨WilliamSaputraDaddy

#family business  #succession  #sibling rivalry   #responsibility   #leadership  #family legacy