How Creating A Positive Work Environment Helps Your Business Thrive Better.

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My grandmother grew up in Moundsville, West Virginia, a speck of a town that formed her personality and how she showed up in life. One of the things she passed down to me is her sayings, rooted in that small-town upbringing. “You get more flies with honey than vinegar,” she would advise me. That has stuck with me in my life and serves as a guidepost in my personal and professional life.??

In the scope of our work, we act as advisors and mentors for small business owners who come to us seeking advice on motivating and engaging their team as they themselves learn to step out of the day-to-day burdens to become the visionary in the business. This is an intentional transition that a business owner chooses when they realize they can’t possibly wear all the hats in their business anymore. They’ve worked themselves to the point of burnout, and things have got to change, and that needs to happen pronto.

As they step into a new version of their business, they are asking their team to make the same transition. A necessary change they didn’t choose. Thus begins a delicate dance to guide this transition when everyone is uncertain and unsteady. Everyone will have to change their habits and upgrade the team's operating system. Most people don’t handle change well - especially if it feels like discipline or forced.??

That is when you meet resistance. It can be overt or subtle. It can be frustrating and discouraging as the business owner feels the team isn’t supporting them. That leads owners to take control, to discipline their way to the transition.

Here is a hint: It doesn’t work well. Team members that feel disciplined take it like vinegar - an acid that eats away at the fiber that binds your culture. Take a look at the latest rounds of exodus from Exxon. The culture is described as toxic, stifling, and controlling. People are leaving in droves.

Here’s what I believe. Humans are more good than not good. Our team and employees want to be appreciated, challenged, and have an impact. They want to feel like they belong and have the freedom to do a good job. When we orchestrate this transition with our small business owners - this version of humanity is who we call to, invite to play and who we have in mind when creating a transition that delivers more sweetness than tartness.?

What happens in the middle is always fun to see as the most reserved people can suddenly blossom, engagement rises, and the team strengthens as they step up to the next level. I’ll be honest it isn’t always a bed of roses. There are moments that are scary and stressful, but they are manageable.

There is also shedding along the way.? As we invite our team to step into the transition and take a bigger role in the business - there are some that don’t want to play.? It’s ok. We can help them find environments where they can thrive because we are more committed to everyone on the team becoming the best version of themselves.?

One of our clients shared an update on a former employee who transitioned to another company.? The former employee is thriving at a new company. Their new company is thriving as well. In some ways, it was a tough transition for our client, but it opened up the space for new team members to step up. Her business became healthier, meeting her vision, and everything did not rest on her shoulders.

When faced with the challenge of this transition - ask yourself, “How can I come from a place of love, care, and kindness in this situation?”? The honesty of the answer might surprise you - and so likely will the results.

Are you ready to have a rockstar team in your small business?? Check out our 7 Steps to a Rockstar Team Free Download - grab your copy here. [https://www.yourbizrules.com/rockstarteam/]

About Leslie Hassler, Small Business Scaling Strategist

Leslie Hassler is a dynamic author, speaker, and business strategist who helps women-led service businesses produce predictable profits, fund growth, stabilize cash flow and enjoy more freedom. Business owners come to Leslie seeking a way to strategically scale their businesses, stop money leaks, and get in control with confidence.

With over 15 years of experience in business, finance, mindset, and more, Leslie takes multiple 6 and 7-figure businesses from cash-strapped and struggling to profitable and thriving through her unique Profitable Growth Incubator.

Leslie is the founder of Your Biz Rules business coaching. Her genius has been featured on stages across the United States, including the National Association of Women Business Owners, SCORE, the Texas Conference for Women, and publications such as Entrepreneur.com and Business.com.

If you are looking to create more predictable profits so you can grow and scale without burnout, find time to chat at www.yourbizrules.com/chat