Firing Family: When Businesses Becomes Personal

March 30, 2001— -- Dad, you're fired.

Working under the thumb of family members can be daunting. The singer Beyonce recently announced she was terminating her father after years under his management control. Like Michael Jackson before her, Beyonce is taking control from her father, known for his bullish pursuit of business opportunities, in what appears to be an amicable split.

"I am grateful for everything he has taught me. I grew up watching both he and my mother manage and own their own businesses. They were hardworking entrepreneurs and I will continue to follow in their footsteps. He is my father for life and I love my dad dearly," Beyonce said in a statement.

Her father of 29 years and manager for the last 15 years, Matthew Knowles, shared this: "business is business and family is family. I love my daughter and am very proud of who she is and all that she has achieved."

"In business, if what comes through is a caring about the relationship more than your own agenda, even if you lose a couple along the way, I believe that bond creates a potential for more victories long term," says Tom Stern, creator of CEO Dad. "I can only assume that might be part of what has gone on with Beyonce. To make such a painful change, I imagine there must be some real conflict."

Make no mistake: the conflict surrounding the firing of family members isn't often well-hidden from employees or the public.

Five years ago, pop star Usher Raymond parted ways with his mother amid swirling rumors that Jonetta Patton did not agree with his love interest. The R&B crooner tried to put a positive spin to the firing by calling it forced retirement.

"I love my mother — she's the only one I have. I decided to not fire, not get rid of, but to give [my mother] the ultimate compliment — to retire her to be a full-time grandmother," Usher told MTV. "My mother and I decided to change her situation, together. There was a conversation. I didn't write her a letter or pink-slip her."

A year later the Grammy winner decided the role of manager was best filled by his mom and he rehired her as his manager.