Farewell to a pioneer: Prof. Dr. Arist von Schlippe leaves Witten/Herdecke University

When Prof Dr Arist von Schlippe came to Witten in 2005, it was a leap into the unknown. From clinical psychologist to researcher for business families - it was not only a bold change, it was the beginning of a formative chapter for the Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU) at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H).

"The change was not at all easy for me," recalls von Schlippe. He was entering a new world - like a cultural researcher who wants to understand a foreign society without judging it straight away. He had previously worked with families in which a child was seriously and chronically ill. He observed how the illness shaped family life, influenced decisions and changed relationships. He found similar dynamics in business families - only there it was not the illness, but the company that lived in the family and was a constant topic of discussion.

His research and teaching shaped generations

Together with his team, Arist von Schlippe developed key concepts to better understand these particular family constellations and challenges. One key concept is that of the "doubled family". He uses this to describe the fact that these families are always also business families that have to cope with two completely different challenges: On the one hand, there is the bond, the emotional closeness to each other. On the other hand, there is the factual, sometimes tough decision-making logic of the company, which has a relentless impact on the business family. Decisions have to be made rationally, often under time pressure and with economic consequences. Two systems that actually contradict each other - and which business families must constantly balance.

It is a well-known fact that many families fail at this: Arguments between siblings, unclear roles, broken succession plans. The fact that others manage to remain stable across generations was a much more interesting question for von Schlippe. What do they do differently?

In projects such as "Family Strategy across Generations" or "Big Families", von Schlippe focused on action research - a form of research in which the researchers not only observe and analyse "from the outside", but also actively work together with the families. This allowed the participating families in the projects to grapple with difficult questions: Who belongs to the business family? How do we regulate participation when the family grows? How do we deal with conflicts before (and when) they escalate? The results are never universally valid solutions, but rather practical impulses and concepts that are closely orientated to the reality of the respective families.

Arist von Schlippe also left a lasting mark on teaching, for example with his conflict seminar at the UW/H: since 2008, students have been dealing with the dynamics of family conflicts - in companies, but also beyond. The speciality: They analyse real conflicts, design scenarios and carry out role plays. For von Schlippe, it was clear: figures, models, theories - they are helpful, but are no substitute for a clear view and intelligent analysis. Or in his words: "Science has to do with thinking, not just calculating."

A farewell - with gratitude

After 20 years at the UW/H, Prof Dr Arist von Schlippe is now retiring. However, he will remain in contact with the university and will continue to offer counselling for business families on a limited basis.

What will he miss? Everyday life at the university. The conversations in the corridor. The view of students discussing and designing projects. "Knowledge is created here," he says.