Purpose This paper investigates the impact of bridging social capital on the financial and non-financial performance of family businesses and explores the mediation role of social skills in the context of family succession. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative study, through questionnaires, was conducted among 105 Tunisian family firms that have experienced a family succession for at least one year. The PLS-SEM analysis method was used to test the research hypothesis. Findings Results show that an increase in external social capital is positively associated with financial performance and family-centred non-economic goals, whereas social skills mediate this positive relationship. Originality/value The proposed model aims to test the direct effect of bridging social capital on family firms' performance and exploring the mediation role of the successor's social skills.