In this third issue of our 2026 series from BanyanGlobal, Rob Lachenauer and Rebecca Yu challenge the conventional wisdom of a slow succession process, arguing that, in some cases, prolonged transitions can create ambiguity, undermine new leadership, and ultimately delay the very change they are intended to support. This article offers practical guidance for advisors navigating one of the most difficult aspects of succession: helping founders let go while ensuring the next generation can truly lead.

As we reach the midpoint of 2026, we’re taking a moment to look back at the editions that resonated most with our readers. From succession and governance to artificial intelligence, mediation, family dynamics, and next-generation leadership, this collection reflects the breadth of ideas and practical insights shaping the family enterprise field today.

Whether you’re revisiting a favorite article or discovering one you missed, we hope you’ll enjoy this roundup of the most-read FFI Practitioner editions from the first half of the year. Thank you for being part of the Practitioner community. We look forward to bringing you even more thought-provoking content in the months ahead.

Family trusts are typically viewed as legal and financial structures, but what if they are also members of the family system? In this third installment of our 2026 series from Jay Hughes and Keith Whitaker, the authors explore trusts through a family-systems lens, suggesting that long-lived trusts can become enduring participants in family life. Drawing on themes of governance, ritual, legacy, and stewardship, they invite readers to reconsider the role trusts play in sustaining family continuity across generations.