They function well in a situation. They make effective decisions. People with poor self esteem can be miserable and demanding. They think only of themselves. Nobody else is thinking of them.
Families have a stake in listening to their members.
Being heard is good for everybody. People are social beings - they need care and attention from other people. Conflicts that are ignored do not go away - they go underground, where they behave like polluted ground water. Conflicts dealt with openly, negotiated as differing needs, can lead to greater sharing and intimacy. Very simply, the tools of effective communication can be used to build a healthy atmosphere for growth of any relationship.