Meet Tay, Al, Lou, and Ann—four business owners at different stages of growing their teams. Through a structured coaching program, they tackled common roadblocks like staff motivation, leadership balance, and team engagement.
Challenge: Balancing Leadership and Friendship
One of the biggest challenges trade business owners face is managing the balance between being the boss and being mates with their team. Tay had recently made the tough decision to let an employee go, which left her questioning her leadership style. Al was struggling to get back into a routine after time off, feeling overwhelmed by balancing work and personal projects.
Solution: Defining Strong Leadership
In our coaching session, we discussed the key traits of strong leaders—transparency, communication, decisiveness, and integrity. The group recognised that failing to set boundaries could lead to underperformance or disengagement. Each business owner reflected on their own leadership style and identified areas to improve, ensuring they weren’t too lenient or too authoritarian.
Key Takeaway: Leadership isn’t about being liked; it’s about being respected and clear in expectations.
Challenge: Getting Staff Aligned with Business Goals
Without a clear direction, teams often feel disconnected from the bigger picture. Lou felt her staff were just “going through the motions” without understanding how their work impacted the business.
Solution: Setting and Communicating Goals
Each business owner took time to educate their teams on business objectives. By aligning individual roles with company goals, they saw an increase in motivation and commitment. Discussions were held to ensure team members knew how their work contributed to success.
Key Takeaway: When staff understand the ‘why’ behind their work, they feel more invested in business outcomes.
Challenge: Establishing Workplace Rules and Standards
Every trade business needs clear expectations, but enforcing them can be tricky. Ann shared how unclear standards had led to inconsistencies in job site behavior and client interactions.
Solution: Defining the ‘Rules of the Game’
Instead of dictating rules, business owners involved their teams in setting workplace standards. This made staff more accountable and ensured everyone was on the same page. Areas covered included onsite behavior, safety, client interactions, and even uniform expectations.
Key Takeaway: When employees help create rules, they’re more likely to follow them.
Challenge: Encouraging Initiative and Risk-Taking
Letting go of control is difficult for many business owners. Al and Tay admitted they hesitated to delegate because they feared their staff wouldn’t care as much as they did.
Solution: Creating a Culture of Learning
Through guided discussions, the group realised that mistakes are learning opportunities. They adopted a ‘fail forward’ mindset, where staff were encouraged to take calculated risks without fear of harsh repercussions.
Key Takeaway: Trusting your team to take ownership fosters independence and long-term growth.
Challenge: Keeping Staff Motivated Beyond Money
While financial incentives are important, they aren’t the only motivator. Ann struggled with retaining employees who seemed disengaged despite fair pay.
Solution: Personalised Recognition and Growth Opportunities
The group explored different ways to recognise and reward staff, such as:
- Public acknowledgment during meetings
- Offering additional responsibilities for career growth
- Understanding individual motivators through DISC profiling
Key Takeaway: Genuine, tailored recognition builds loyalty and motivation.
Final Results
By implementing these strategies, each business owner saw measurable improvements in their team dynamics. Staff engagement increased, leadership confidence grew, and business goals became clearer. Here’s what they had to say:
Tay: “After setting clear expectations, I no longer feel guilty about holding my team accountable.”
Al: “Letting go and trusting my team has reduced my stress and improved efficiency.”
Ann: “Involving my team in decisions has made them more invested in the business.”
Building a high-performing team takes effort, but with strong leadership, clear goals, and the right recognition strategies, it’s possible to create a work environment where staff feel valued and motivated. If you’re ready to strengthen your team, book a call with us today to see how we can help you implement these strategies in your own business.
.jpg)
