1 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Britney Saunders and welcome to Big Business, the 2 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:09,800 Speaker 1: place where business is far from boring. And today I'm 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 1: recording on a wobbicol land Now. I somehow managed to 4 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: build an empire from the garage underneath my house, and 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: I'm here to share it all with you, from the wins, 6 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:22,560 Speaker 1: the mistakes, the challenging times and the funny moments in between. So, 7 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,239 Speaker 1: whether you're in business already, perhaps you're not in the 8 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: game at all, Maybe you're just looking for some inspo, 9 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: or you simply just want to hear the tea, this 10 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: is the podcast for you. What do you do in 11 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:38,559 Speaker 1: that situation where one of your very first employees, a 12 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 1: little down the track as your business grows, starts to 13 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: feel like they're not the right fit for the business. Well, 14 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:49,520 Speaker 1: I've actually gotten an email which I was so surprised 15 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:51,800 Speaker 1: by it. We're always telling everyone here on the pod, 16 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: send us a DM. We have an Instagram account for 17 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: Big Business. It's just Big Business Underscore podcast on Instagram, 18 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: super easy to find. We're always saying send us a 19 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: DM if you have a question that you would like 20 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: me to answer on the pod. But this one actually 21 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: came through in an email and I'm glad that I 22 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: saw it. I'm keeping the sender's name anonymous because she's 23 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 1: talking about her business and one of her employees. But 24 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: let's read through this scenario, which is I'm going to 25 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: say a pretty common thing that business owners will experience. 26 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,119 Speaker 1: So I'll start out by saying that you're not alone 27 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 1: in this whatsoever. It's very common. But let's just read it, 28 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: and then I'm going to give my advice. I feel 29 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: like I'm turning into like an advice podcast here, and 30 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 1: what's funny is like, yeah, I've been doing business for 31 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:38,960 Speaker 1: eight years, but I want to say, like, whilst I 32 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: have experience in business, this is my first. 33 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 2: Time doing this as well. 34 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: So I can only give advice, you know, based off 35 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 1: my own experience and all the mistakes that I've made 36 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: over the years. But I'm still learning to and I'm 37 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: not some professional. Well I am a professional, I guess, 38 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: but I'm just a girl, you know. But I'll do 39 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 1: my best when it comes to advice. So the message 40 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: reads all the email reads, Hey, Brittany, I just wanted 41 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: to start by saying how much I love your podcast. 42 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: I get so excited every time a new episode comes out, 43 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 1: as a small business owner. It honestly makes me feel 44 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: less alone, like someone truly understands the highs, the stress, 45 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: the pressure, and everything in between. Your advice has helped 46 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: me so much during difficult periods. So thank you for 47 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: being so open and honest. And just a little segue 48 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: to that, thank you so much. That is so nice. 49 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: I know exactly what you mean. Oftentimes business can feel 50 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:34,239 Speaker 1: very lonely and isolating for everyone because you know, it's 51 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: so emotionally driven, this journey, and it is really nice 52 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,519 Speaker 1: to listen to other business owners and you know here 53 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,920 Speaker 1: that other people experience the same sort of things. So 54 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:49,119 Speaker 1: onto the email. I have a situation I would really 55 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 1: love your perspective on. My boyfriend and I started a 56 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: clothing brand four years ago and we're currently experiencing a 57 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: lot of growth, which we're so grateful for. Where now 58 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 1: a team of six including us, and it's such an 59 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 1: exciting phase but also challenging. Our first employee was an 60 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: absolute dream during the first six to seven months. She 61 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: was proactive, positive and such a great fit. But over 62 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:20,679 Speaker 1: time cracks started to show. She began taking feedback very 63 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: personally and would get offended when we gave her constructive 64 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: input on her work. As the business grew and stress 65 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:33,639 Speaker 1: levels increased, this escalated into emotional reactions, arguments, and at 66 00:03:33,720 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: times rude behavior, particularly towards us as leaders. Because we're 67 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: such a small team, her energy really affects everyone. It 68 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 1: started to take away some of the joy of running 69 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: the business and celebrating milestones because there's often tension or 70 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: conflict in the background. We're also currently hiring more people 71 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: to join the team as we grow, and one of 72 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 1: our biggest fears is that this negative energy won't go away, 73 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 1: and that it could impact the new team members and 74 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: shape the culture in a way we don't want. 75 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 2: My question is, how. 76 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: Would you handle a situation like this as a founder 77 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,120 Speaker 1: and what would you put in place moving forward to 78 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 1: make sure this doesn't happen again with future hires. Any 79 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: advice would mean so much. Thank you again for everything 80 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:20,039 Speaker 1: you share. 81 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:21,600 Speaker 2: Truly love the pod. 82 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: Okay, this is a great one, and I have a 83 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: lot that I want to say, and I think I'm 84 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: just going to go back through your email and kind 85 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 1: of break each part down and kind of give my responses. 86 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 1: Now I can totally relate to you in this scenario, 87 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: and I know I said this at the start of 88 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 1: the episode. 89 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 2: But don't feel like you're alone in this. 90 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 1: This is very common in business for emotions to be involved, 91 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: and especially as your team is growing and you're getting 92 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 1: those growing pains and you're bringing more people in. You 93 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: are never going to have everything feel one hundred percent 94 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 1: perfect at any time. Honestly, if I'm being completely honest 95 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 1: with you, in an ideal world, you know, when we're 96 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 1: starting a business and we're excited about hiring a team, 97 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: you'll think that everything's going to be amazing, and because 98 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 1: you and your partner are awesome, that everyone else is 99 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: going to be awesome and everyone's going to have a 100 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: great time and get along and do their jobs. But 101 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: that's just not reality. You know, things are always going 102 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: to be happening in the background. There's always going to 103 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,479 Speaker 1: be some sort of issue happening, whether it's big or 104 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: something tiny, or if it's a little bit of tension 105 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: in the workplace. You know, I get asked all the time, like, 106 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: what's the hardest part of business, And it's one hundred 107 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: percent people management. And the reason for that is not 108 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: because you know, people are horrible. It's because we're human. 109 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: At the end of the day, and we're dealing with 110 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: different people from different walks of life, and we're all 111 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:56,000 Speaker 1: working together closely, so of course you know naturally there's 112 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: going to be not conflicts, but there's going to be 113 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 1: speed bumps. And I think it's important to give yourself 114 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:08,159 Speaker 1: grace in business and just know that it's going to 115 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: have its ups and downs and speed bumps, and that 116 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: you know, if you just feel like you can never 117 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 1: make everyone happy all the time, that's a very normal 118 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 1: feeling to feel. Because I'll be completely honest with you, 119 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 1: I feel that way every day in my job. I 120 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:27,359 Speaker 1: put so much pressure on myself and I just want 121 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: everyone to be happy, and I want to be the 122 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: best boss, and I want Fate to be the most 123 00:06:32,240 --> 00:06:35,600 Speaker 1: perfect workplace, and I want everyone to get along amazingly, 124 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 1: and I want everyone to grow in their careers if 125 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: they're wanting to grow, and I'm wanting everything to run smoothly. 126 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: I put all that pressure on myself, which a lot 127 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: of business owners do, but that is so unrealistic at 128 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 1: the end of the day. Because we're human. We're all different. 129 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: We have different opinions, we have different personalities, we have 130 00:06:55,320 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 1: different experiences, we all have different wants and needs and goals, 131 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 1: so of course, like it's not going to be all 132 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: rainbows and sunshine every day. And I think the sooner 133 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: that you come to terms with that and just become 134 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: okay with the ups and downs and the speed bumps 135 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: and road bumps, you'll feel a little bit better knowing 136 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: that it is. It's normal to feel like everything isn't 137 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 1: running smoothly one hundred percent of the time, because that's 138 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: just life and that's business. 139 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 2: And trust me, if I could. 140 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: Be perfect in every way and have the perfect workplace 141 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: and everyone just absolutely loving and living their life, which 142 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 1: I'll hope that most of the time everyone is, you know, 143 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: if we could have it that way, we would, But 144 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: the reality of it is business is challenging, and managing 145 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: teams and people is challenging, especially when you are in 146 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: that growth phase of a business where you're four years 147 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: in and your business that you're running now is ten 148 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: times different to the business that you started when this 149 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: employee first came on. And of course that's going to 150 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: be challenging and there's going to be tension because things 151 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: are changing and a lot of people, if I'm being honest, 152 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: don't deal well with change. I'll never forget in my 153 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: early days of Fate, when we were in this same 154 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: sort of position as you. 155 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 2: I think I had. 156 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 1: Like three or four employees, and one of my employees 157 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: at the time, I was talking to her about how, 158 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: you know, we're hiring more people, and it was when 159 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: we just opened our first Newcastle store and I was 160 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,079 Speaker 1: talking to her about how we're going to have more 161 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 1: people coming on and I remember her saying to me, 162 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: I hate change. I can't deal with change. I don't 163 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:41,679 Speaker 1: like new people. 164 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:43,839 Speaker 2: And I just remember wanting. 165 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 1: To pull my hair out, going, oh my god, like, 166 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: this is so difficult because we're a growing business and 167 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 1: a lot of people struggle with change because people like 168 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 1: familiar situations and environments. So of course you know there 169 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:00,559 Speaker 1: is going to be growing pains when you're growing business, 170 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: and please know that it's normal. So going back through 171 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:07,599 Speaker 1: your email, I have a situation I would love your perspective. 172 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 1: My boyfriend and I starting a clothing brand. Started a 173 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 1: clothing brand four years ago and we're experiencing growth. Our 174 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: first employee was an absolute dream. During the first six 175 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: to seven months, she was proactive, positive and such a 176 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 1: great fit. But over time, the cracks started to show. 177 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 1: So based on your email, I believe this person was 178 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 1: your first ever employee, which was four years ago, right, 179 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: and you're saying that in the first six to seven 180 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 1: months she was great, but then after that the cracks 181 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: started to show. 182 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 2: I almost want to. 183 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 1: Like call you out a little bit here, and you know, 184 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 1: not in a bad way, because we live and we 185 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: learn as business owners. But if you hired this person 186 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 1: or maybe I don't know if you hired them four 187 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: years ago or if they came on like a bit 188 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: into the business journey, but you know, if you've got 189 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:56,679 Speaker 1: someone that's great in the first six to seven months, 190 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: and then after that cracks start to form. And I 191 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 1: don't know how long ago this was for you, because 192 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 1: you haven't really specified. But if there's one thing that 193 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 1: I've learned and that I would want everyone to take 194 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 1: away from this episode today, and you need to write 195 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 1: this down or as take a mental note, the first 196 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: six months of any employee's journey in your business is 197 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 1: probably the most vital and crucial. It's when they're new, 198 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:23,199 Speaker 1: it's when they're in their probation period, and you've got 199 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: that first six months to figure out whether that person 200 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 1: is the right fit for your business. I've said it 201 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:32,320 Speaker 1: a million times on the podcast here. Staff can make 202 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: or break your business, and that's not personal and that's 203 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,200 Speaker 1: not an attack. Staff can be the best thing that's 204 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: ever happened to you in your business. They can come 205 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 1: in and make it absolutely amazing. They can push you 206 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: forward into the new chapter of your business, or they 207 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 1: can do the complete opposite, and they can make the 208 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 1: whole thing fall apart from the inside. And again, I'm 209 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 1: not throwing shade or attacks by saying that, it's just 210 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: the reality. 211 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:58,079 Speaker 2: And if I could. 212 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: Go back and do my time, you know over again 213 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,840 Speaker 1: at Fate, one thing that I would do is in 214 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: those early years of Fate, I'm talking, you know, six 215 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: years ago, seven years ago, I wish I could have 216 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 1: known how important that first six months are when someone 217 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:18,560 Speaker 1: started with us at Fate, because once you get beyond 218 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: that six month period and they're out of their probation period, 219 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 1: it can become a lot more difficult to manage. And also, 220 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: like that first six months that you've got with someone, 221 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: the way that you onboard them into the company, the 222 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: way that you train them, the way that you get 223 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: to know them, the way that you set the standard 224 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 1: with them, the way that you set them up for 225 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 1: success with your communication style. It's just absolutely everything, because 226 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: if you don't really set those super strong boundaries and 227 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 1: foundations in place in the first six months of employment, 228 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 1: it's really hard to then implement that stuff later on 229 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: down the track, if you know what I mean, because 230 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: they've gotten used to the way that things have been 231 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: since the beginning. But in your defense as well, you know, 232 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:06,680 Speaker 1: if this person has come on when you first started 233 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 1: your business and then you know your years in and 234 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 1: they're years in, it's still also hard to then implement 235 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: change if the business that they started in is not 236 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: the same business that they're working in today. And that's 237 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,720 Speaker 1: a challenge that a lot of business owners will face. 238 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: And I can even speak from my own experience as well. 239 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 1: You know, Fate has been around for eight years, and 240 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:32,079 Speaker 1: the longest employees that we have have been with us 241 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 1: for the last five and Fate five years ago is 242 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 1: twenty businesses different from like the business that we are now. 243 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:45,479 Speaker 1: And I feel really proud that our longest standing employees 244 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 1: have been with us through those five years because we've 245 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:53,200 Speaker 1: evolved ten million times over and they've managed to be 246 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 1: able to adapt and keep up and take on board 247 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: all of the change and the structure changes. But it's 248 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 1: something that a lot of people will struggle with. And 249 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: I think that's why you might be feeling all these 250 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: emotional responses is because like some people just struggled to 251 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 1: deal with change, which is totally fair and fine, but 252 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 1: as a business, that can be really challenging. Continuing on 253 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:24,960 Speaker 1: with your email, so you said the first sixty seven 254 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 1: months she was proactive, positive and such a great fit. 255 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: But over time Crack started to show she began taking 256 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 1: feedback very personally and would get offended when we gave 257 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: constructive input on her work. That's always really challenging. It's 258 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: really tough like giving feedback because I guess from a 259 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: business's perspective, it's only ever coming from a good place. 260 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: But you know, especially when you're a smaller team, it 261 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 1: can feel really personal. And again, like I'm bringing this 262 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: back to when someone's coming on board in your business, 263 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 1: it's just so important to be really clear with your 264 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: intentions and communication in those first six months. And again 265 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 1: I can give you another example. We've just had a 266 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: new marketing assistant start at Fate just within the last 267 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: like two months, and I'm working with her on certain things, 268 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: and I've made it very clear to her, like she's 269 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: obviously learning, and I've said like, sometimes you're going to 270 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 1: show me things and I'm going to say like, oh, 271 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: let's maybe take another look at it, or let's rework it. 272 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: Or there might even be some things. Let's say she's 273 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: creating something for our Instagram page or whatever. You might 274 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: make things and we might not end up using them, 275 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: and so I've just wanted to make my intentions with 276 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,600 Speaker 1: her very clear that if that ever happens, it's not 277 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 1: because I hate it or it's not good, but it's 278 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: just because that's the way it is. You know, especially 279 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: in a creative role, sometimes you'll make something and we 280 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: never end up posting it or using it. 281 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 2: And I think, again, while. 282 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 1: She's so new, it's important for me to let her 283 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: know those things so that, you know, if we never 284 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: had that conversation, and let's say six months down the track, 285 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: she makes something and I'm like, oh, we won't use 286 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: that one, there won't be that. 287 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 2: Like oh my god, why, or like do you not 288 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 2: like it? Do you not like me? 289 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: There won't be any of that emotional part because I 290 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 1: was clear with my communication at the beginning, and I 291 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: let her know, Hey, this is the way that I'm 292 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: going to communicate with you, and if I ever don't 293 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 1: use something that you've made or I go and change it. 294 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: It's not personal. It's just the way that we work 295 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: and we run the business. And so that's just so 296 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: important for me. And I know, obviously you can't turn 297 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 1: back on that now, given the fact this employee has 298 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: been with you for a really long time. But I 299 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: think just moving forward, just be really careful within you know, 300 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: someone's onboarding and bring them into the company and really 301 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: like set the I don't want to say lay the law, 302 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: but like it's really just important when someone comes on 303 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: board that you're super clear with everything so that they 304 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 1: have a full understanding, so that you know, a year 305 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: down the track, they can't be like, oh, why saying 306 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: this to me, because then you'd be like, well, you 307 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: remember in your onboarding we spoke about XYZ. Your email says. 308 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: As the business grew and stress levels increased, this escalated 309 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: into emotional reactions, arguments at times, and rude behavior, particularly towards. 310 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 2: Us as leaders. That's a tough one. 311 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: Again. 312 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 2: I'm putting myself in your shoes. 313 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: Like back when I was maybe your size, when I 314 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: had like four employees and it was just AJ and I. 315 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: I was avoidant at that point in Fate's journey, which 316 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: was probably how many years ago now, six years ago, 317 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 1: when I had about four employees, I was avoidant and 318 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't do anything about something like that. Not that we 319 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: ever had that, thankfully, but you know, if I was 320 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 1: to ever have any sort of conflict in the workplace, 321 00:16:58,200 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: you know, I would just avoid it and hope that 322 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: everything is going to be okay. And a lot of 323 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:04,399 Speaker 1: business owners when you are that smaller team, you do 324 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 1: have that like somewhat avoidant style. 325 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,320 Speaker 2: Whereas me reading. 326 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 1: That now, you know, if I had anyone in our 327 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: workplace like who was emotionally reacting or arguing or being 328 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 1: super rude, I wouldn't allow that in the workplace, Like 329 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: I would do something about it. 330 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 2: I don't want to come across like a hard. 331 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:28,359 Speaker 1: Ass in this episode, but you know, if we were 332 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: to have like someone yelling or raising their voice or 333 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: speaking poorly towards anyone, like I would initiate a formal 334 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:41,959 Speaker 1: conversation and perhaps it might result in a written warning 335 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: just because again, like you've got to have that boundary 336 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: in place to be like, hey, like we're here, and 337 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: we're here to talk with you and communicate with you 338 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:52,879 Speaker 1: and hear you out and see what's bothering you and 339 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: see how we can help. But also we don't tolerate 340 00:17:56,240 --> 00:18:01,399 Speaker 1: people being rude or argumentative in the workplace. Continuing on 341 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: with the email, because we're such a small team, her 342 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:07,719 Speaker 1: energy really affects everyone. It's started to take away some 343 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 1: of the joy of running the business and celebrating the 344 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: milestones because there's often tension or conflict in the background. Again, 345 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 1: I totally relate to this. When you are a really 346 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: small team, everyone impacts everyone. If one person shows up 347 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 1: to work and they're feeling a certain type of way, 348 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 1: it gets noticed by everyone. It's not like you're working 349 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 1: in a massive department store where you might not even 350 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 1: see half the people that you're working with that day. 351 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:35,120 Speaker 1: When you are in a small team, and if it's 352 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 1: for employees and you two, those things are going to 353 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,679 Speaker 1: have an impact. But again, this falls back on you 354 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 1: and your partner because if you're noticing like a shift 355 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:48,920 Speaker 1: in energy, and if you're noticing that something is affecting 356 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 1: the team's morale, it's when you need to sit down 357 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 1: and have those hard conversations. I always say on the pod, 358 00:18:55,680 --> 00:19:01,199 Speaker 1: hard conversations, easy life, easy conversations, hard life, because I'm 359 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 1: kind of calling you out here, but maybe you haven't 360 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,679 Speaker 1: given me all the info, but you haven't written in 361 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:10,840 Speaker 1: here that you have done anything about it yet. So 362 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 1: if I were you, and maybe you already have and 363 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:15,719 Speaker 1: you just haven't included it, but it just sounds like, 364 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 1: based off all of this, that you need to sit 365 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,679 Speaker 1: this person down and just have an honest conversation with 366 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:26,879 Speaker 1: your employee before you have the meeting. I would either 367 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 1: sit down with them in person just quickly and just 368 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 1: say hey, like, I've noticed a few things and I'd 369 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:35,919 Speaker 1: love to arrange a time to sit down with you 370 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: to go through X, Y and Z. Give them that 371 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,160 Speaker 1: heads up that you want to have the meeting. Don't 372 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: just like dump it on them randomly or just say hey, 373 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 1: come and have a chat with me, because then you know, 374 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 1: especially if she's reacting emotionally or ready to a lot 375 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: of things, you don't want to spring a meeting on 376 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:55,199 Speaker 1: her and then have her completely caught off guard. But 377 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:57,719 Speaker 1: I would lock in a time to have a meeting 378 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 1: and I would go in with an agenda, have everything 379 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:02,920 Speaker 1: written down that you want to go through with her, 380 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 1: and just talk it out. Having open communication in a 381 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:12,120 Speaker 1: workplace is absolutely everything, especially if you're a small, growing business, 382 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: and being able to talk through things is everything. And 383 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,199 Speaker 1: again I keep going back to, like when someone is 384 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:20,720 Speaker 1: new in a business, having that open communication from day 385 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 1: one is so so important because then if you have 386 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 1: that open communication and that honesty and that connection of 387 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:32,160 Speaker 1: you know, we want to talk, if there's ever any 388 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 1: issues come to us and vice versa, then it won't 389 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: feel like anyone's caught off guard. If down the track, 390 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:41,880 Speaker 1: like in your scenario, for example, you're going to her 391 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: and she might be a few years in you're like, hey, 392 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:46,840 Speaker 1: we're noticing all these things. You might then get that 393 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: reaction again if you've never had those really open and 394 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:54,440 Speaker 1: honest conversations. And you're not at fault here, because when 395 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:56,919 Speaker 1: we start businesses, we don't think of any of this stuff. 396 00:20:56,920 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: And I'm only speaking from my own experiences in the 397 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: early days of fate when I was none the wiser, Like, 398 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 1: no one teaches. 399 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 2: You this stuff. 400 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: You go through these sorts of things and you learn 401 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: as you go and I'm only speaking from what i've learned, 402 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: But if I were you, because you've said here, my 403 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 1: question is, how would you handle a situation like this 404 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 1: as a founder and what would you put in place 405 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 1: moving forward to make sure this doesn't happen again with 406 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:25,199 Speaker 1: future hires. Let me break this down, how would you 407 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,399 Speaker 1: handle a situation like this as a founder? I would 408 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:31,159 Speaker 1: lock in a time to have a meeting with this person, 409 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: Go in prepared and give them notice. 410 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 2: Not that this is going to be like. 411 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: A disciplinary meeting or anything like that, but if you 412 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: feel like it is bad enough that it requires disciplinary action, 413 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 1: whether it's a written warning or a verbal warning, then 414 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 1: absolutely let them know that that's what it's going to 415 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 1: be about. But if it feels like you can one 416 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:54,119 Speaker 1: hundred percent resolve it, just with a mutual conversation. 417 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 2: Of course, don't go in with it. 418 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 1: This is a disciplinary meeting, but just have an open 419 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:02,159 Speaker 1: and honest conversation and don't make it all about you. 420 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:04,679 Speaker 1: Know this is what we've noticed with you, and you 421 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:07,360 Speaker 1: are doing this, and you are doing that. I think 422 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:11,399 Speaker 1: it's important even if someone is acting out in certain ways, 423 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 1: it's important to also go in and hear their side 424 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: of how they're feeling. So go in with everything written down, 425 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:21,880 Speaker 1: but also ask them, you know, we've noticed XYZ, can 426 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,000 Speaker 1: you give us a bit of insight as to how 427 00:22:24,080 --> 00:22:26,960 Speaker 1: you're currently feeling. Is there anything bothering you at the moment, 428 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 1: because you'll be surprised, like she might have things that 429 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:32,439 Speaker 1: she wants to come to you about. And yeah, you 430 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 1: just need to have that hard conversation to have an 431 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:39,359 Speaker 1: easy life, because if you always have easy conversations, which 432 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:41,639 Speaker 1: is easy to do in business, you are going to 433 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:43,720 Speaker 1: have a hard life and you're going to find yourself 434 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 1: in the position that you're in now where you are 435 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: feeling like you're not enjoying your business because there's tension 436 00:22:50,520 --> 00:22:54,280 Speaker 1: in the background. And I totally get what you mean 437 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:57,919 Speaker 1: and how you're feeling. It just starts with a conversation, 438 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:00,679 Speaker 1: and it might start with a conversation and then you 439 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 1: may be able to work together to work through the 440 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 1: things that she's going through and end in a positive place. 441 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 1: That would be the perfect outcome. Or it might start 442 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:13,239 Speaker 1: with a conversation and it might end there. Like you 443 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,080 Speaker 1: can never predict how something like that is going to 444 00:23:16,119 --> 00:23:19,399 Speaker 1: play out, But yeah, go in, have a meeting, have 445 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:23,560 Speaker 1: some outcomes as well, like some possible outcomes and you know, 446 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 1: things that you. 447 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:26,240 Speaker 2: Want to work on with her. 448 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 1: If she decides to come to the table and be like, yeah, look, 449 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 1: i've been frustrated about this, I've been angry about that. 450 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 1: XYZ have some outcomes there for her and then kind 451 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:36,720 Speaker 1: of work on how you're. 452 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 2: Going to move forward. 453 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 1: It could also go completely pair shaped, like you never know, 454 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 1: but it just sounds like you need to have a 455 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 1: hard conversation. And again, I don't know the exact timeline 456 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,199 Speaker 1: of how long this person has been with you, but 457 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: it sounds like you should have had this conversation a 458 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:56,600 Speaker 1: really long time ago. And I think the one lesson 459 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 1: that you can take out of this is to not 460 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 1: let things go on for any longer than they need to. 461 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 1: One thing with I guess me, and the way that 462 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 1: I'd like to work at Fate and our leadership team 463 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 1: as well, is even if we notice the smallest of things, 464 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 1: it's important to bring it up so that it doesn't 465 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: down the track turn into something big. And the same 466 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 1: goes for our team, Like we'll always say, you know, 467 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:22,919 Speaker 1: when you start at Fate, you know even if you 468 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 1: have the tiniest thing come up in the workplace that 469 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 1: bothers you. It doesn't even matter if it feels so insignificant. 470 00:24:28,440 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: Bring it up with your manager, come to me, talk 471 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,960 Speaker 1: to me about it, because you know, the more that 472 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: you keep that line of communication open from when someone 473 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 1: is new, like, the better that you're going to be 474 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:43,440 Speaker 1: in the long run, because you know, within businesses, if 475 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:46,960 Speaker 1: you let little things slide to the side or sweep 476 00:24:47,080 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 1: under the rug, they can turn into big things down 477 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: the track when they didn't need to get to that point. 478 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 1: And then to answer the second part of your question, 479 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: and what would you put in place moving forward to 480 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 1: make sure this doesn't happen again with future hires, I'm 481 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 1: going to give you a bit of honest advice here. 482 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:13,879 Speaker 1: You can absolutely put in more measures and more practices 483 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 1: in place, but you can never avoid this thing happening again, 484 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 1: because that's just impossible, because, like I said at the 485 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 1: beginning of this episode, we are all humans and business 486 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 1: is challenging. It's never going to be perfect, and you 487 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: need to accept that. But you, one hundred and ten 488 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: percent can put things in place, and they're just all 489 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,119 Speaker 1: the things that I've been talking about in this episode 490 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:44,560 Speaker 1: have a really strong onboarding process. Run your team through 491 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:49,359 Speaker 1: your company values. You know, you should have all sorts 492 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:52,080 Speaker 1: of like documents and packs made up for when people 493 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: come on board, that outline. You know, who you are 494 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: as a founder, what this workplace is like, what we value, 495 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 1: how we like to work together. This is our communication style. 496 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:07,159 Speaker 1: This is our escalation style. If you not escalation style, 497 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:10,359 Speaker 1: escalation process. If you ever have an issue that you 498 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:12,679 Speaker 1: want to go to someone about, here's how to go 499 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:16,359 Speaker 1: about it, Here's who to contact. I think it's just 500 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:21,400 Speaker 1: putting in that structure when someone is new, so that 501 00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:24,520 Speaker 1: that line of communication is always there from when they 502 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:27,800 Speaker 1: are hired, so that down the track, you know, it 503 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 1: doesn't turn into something huge because you've been communicating the 504 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 1: whole way through their onboarding journey. Now, I can't blame 505 00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:38,879 Speaker 1: you in this situation because every business owner goes through this. 506 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:41,640 Speaker 1: When you're new and you're hiring your first few people, 507 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,399 Speaker 1: it's all fun and games. I say this on the 508 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: podcast all the time, and there's nothing wrong with that, 509 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 1: and you live and you learn. You know, you learn 510 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,159 Speaker 1: so much from your employees. And I've said in heaps 511 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 1: of episodes, especially recently, like people will come and go 512 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 1: and employees aren't always. 513 00:26:58,160 --> 00:26:59,159 Speaker 2: Going to be with you forever. 514 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:01,439 Speaker 1: Some will be with you for a really long time, 515 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 1: and some will just be there for one chapter. And 516 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 1: that's okay. We can be very hard on ourselves when 517 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,680 Speaker 1: it comes to staff, I know for sure, like I've 518 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 1: beaten myself up time and time again when I feel 519 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:15,680 Speaker 1: like I haven't been the best boss in the world, 520 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:18,120 Speaker 1: and I still do that to today, Like I put 521 00:27:18,160 --> 00:27:19,960 Speaker 1: so much pressure on myself that I need to be 522 00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:22,920 Speaker 1: perfect and Fate needs to be the most perfect workplace 523 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:25,639 Speaker 1: in the world. But it's just impossible, because there's no 524 00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:29,399 Speaker 1: such thing as a perfect workplace that makes everyone in 525 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:31,520 Speaker 1: the world happy, if you know what I mean. But 526 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 1: by having a stronger onboarding process and structure in the 527 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 1: way that someone comes into the company, it's going to 528 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 1: help you in the long run. It's not to say 529 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:44,919 Speaker 1: that you're still not going to have surprises and challenges 530 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:49,200 Speaker 1: with team members. It's just inevitable. It's a part of business, 531 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:51,240 Speaker 1: and you know, you can only. 532 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:52,040 Speaker 2: Live and learn from this. 533 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:54,959 Speaker 1: And when we're new business owners, we have no idea 534 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 1: what we're doing. I still have no bloody idea what 535 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:00,880 Speaker 1: I'm doing I do, but I've i only learned from 536 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:03,240 Speaker 1: literally all the mistakes that I've made over the years. 537 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:06,800 Speaker 1: And you know, you can't have any regrets with anything. 538 00:28:06,880 --> 00:28:10,239 Speaker 1: It's all part of the journey. But my advice with 539 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 1: you is to have a really good sit down with 540 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 1: this employee and talk it out and see if you 541 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 1: can come to a resolution together. She may feel good 542 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:21,399 Speaker 1: after you have a chat, and you may all be 543 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: able to, you know, identify the areas that she needs 544 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:26,600 Speaker 1: to improve on and you can work on that together. 545 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:29,040 Speaker 1: Don't make it be like you need to improve on 546 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:32,959 Speaker 1: this XYZ or else, you know, Instead, make it a 547 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:35,800 Speaker 1: wee thing. This is what we're going to work on together. 548 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:40,400 Speaker 1: How can we support you throughout this? And also acknowledge, 549 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 1: you know that this employee has been with you since 550 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 1: the beginning and that there has been a lot of change, 551 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:46,920 Speaker 1: and that you can understand that that would. 552 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:47,960 Speaker 2: Be difficult to deal with. 553 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: But also at the end of the day, you know, 554 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 1: you might have to come to terms with the fact 555 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:56,800 Speaker 1: that maybe it's the end of this person's chapter in 556 00:28:56,840 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 1: your business because the business she started in is not 557 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:02,240 Speaker 1: the same business she's working in now, and maybe it's 558 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 1: no longer the right fit. But I can't say that 559 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaker 1: for sure, because I'm not in your business. But I hope, 560 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,000 Speaker 1: I hope this episode has helped. 561 00:29:11,360 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 2: Now. 562 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:15,200 Speaker 1: I always finish up my big Business main episodes with 563 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 1: a tip of the week, and I'm getting real lazy 564 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:20,560 Speaker 1: with these lately. I always just want to tie it 565 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:22,640 Speaker 1: into the episode because I feel like it just makes 566 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 1: the most sense. So I guess my tip of the 567 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 1: week is going to be remember that the way someone 568 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:32,880 Speaker 1: comes into your company is everything, especially if you're working 569 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: in a very small team. The way that you bring 570 00:29:35,280 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 1: them in and welcome them into the company, and the 571 00:29:37,480 --> 00:29:39,520 Speaker 1: way that you train them and the things that you 572 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:42,440 Speaker 1: provide them with, the tools that you provide them with, 573 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:46,040 Speaker 1: the information that you provide them with, everything you tell 574 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: to them and communicate to them, it's everything. It's going 575 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:51,840 Speaker 1: to set them up for the way that they see 576 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:54,920 Speaker 1: your business and work in it. So put a lot 577 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: of time and effort and energy into your onboarding process 578 00:29:58,960 --> 00:30:01,360 Speaker 1: because it truly is everything. 579 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:04,600 Speaker 2: You know, when we're new business owners, it's so easy. 580 00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 1: For us to just go, yeah, come on board, start 581 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:07,880 Speaker 1: and then you just chuck them on a laptop and 582 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:09,719 Speaker 1: everyone starts working like that's the way we all did 583 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: it back in the day, But having a really great 584 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:16,480 Speaker 1: onboarding process is everything. And having all of your policies 585 00:30:16,520 --> 00:30:20,560 Speaker 1: that you go through and your procedures and your company 586 00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:24,040 Speaker 1: values and what matters to you, and you know, asking 587 00:30:24,080 --> 00:30:27,080 Speaker 1: them about them as well. When then, how do you 588 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 1: like to be communicated with, how do you like to 589 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: be given feedback? And how do you take constructive criticism? 590 00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:38,080 Speaker 1: I mean we ask that question our interview process, like 591 00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:40,840 Speaker 1: how do you respond to constructive feedback? And how do 592 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:43,719 Speaker 1: you like to be given feedback? Because every employee is 593 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 1: completely different, you can't have the same management style with 594 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:49,960 Speaker 1: every single employee. That's another massive lesson that I've learned 595 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:52,600 Speaker 1: over the years. You need to manage everyone differently based 596 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:56,120 Speaker 1: on their needs. And management is not for the faint hearted. 597 00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 1: I always say that as well, but that's my tip 598 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:02,400 Speaker 1: of the week. Spend some time on what it looks 599 00:31:02,480 --> 00:31:05,840 Speaker 1: like for someone to come on board into your business, 600 00:31:05,840 --> 00:31:07,640 Speaker 1: because if I could do my time over again, I 601 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:10,000 Speaker 1: have no regrets, but I wish I'd known back in 602 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:13,960 Speaker 1: the day how important someone's onboarding is. But instead back 603 00:31:13,960 --> 00:31:15,920 Speaker 1: then I'd just go, hey, yeah, you're my friend, come on, 604 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:18,000 Speaker 1: come and work with us. And that was obviously never 605 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:22,320 Speaker 1: going to work. But anyway, that's all for today's main episode. 606 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:26,520 Speaker 1: Today's main episode, this week's main episode of Big Business. 607 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 1: Feel free to send us an Instagram DM if you 608 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:31,920 Speaker 1: have a question that you would like me to answer. 609 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:34,720 Speaker 1: Not that I'm like any sort of qualified professional. I'm 610 00:31:34,720 --> 00:31:37,080 Speaker 1: just a girl out here figuring this thing out as 611 00:31:37,160 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 1: I go. But I love answering everyone's questions and giving feedback. 612 00:31:41,640 --> 00:31:44,240 Speaker 1: And remember to chase after your dreams as if they 613 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:55,520 Speaker 1: owe you money.