Big Dreams Great Teams: Recent Episodes
Paula Maidens
Perfect for entrepreneurs who want to scale fast - this podcast is about about all things people, business and leadership. Because >> Big Dreams Need Great Teams and here you'll learn how to hire, lead and grow your empire with an epic team behind you.
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens is joined by messaging strategist, copywriter, and ChatGPT trainer Tahnée Sanders, founder of The Strategy Studio. Together, they explore the common frustrations that come with outsourcing marketing, particularly when the results don’t quite “sound like you.”
Tahnée shares why so many small business owners end up rewriting the content they outsource, and reveals the real issue behind most marketing challenges: messaging. She explains why creating a strong messaging strategy is essential before hiring a marketing team or copywriter, and how using AI for marketing can be powerful.
From the difference between ChatGPT and Claude to how to train AI tools to reflect your tone of voice, this conversation is packed with practical advice for business owners who want to streamline their marketing, get better results, and maintain authenticity.
This is a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their marketing efforts, whether they’re hiring help or exploring using AI for marketing in their business.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- Why marketing hires often miss the mark in small businesses
- The critical missing piece that leads to disappointing outsourced content
- How to know if your business is truly ready to delegate marketing
- Strategic tips for using AI without sounding robotic or generic
- The role of a messaging strategy in ensuring brand consistency
- How to get started with using AI for marketing in a more personalised and effective way
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
02:00 – Why Marketing Hires Often Don’t Work Out
05:30 – The Hidden Power of Messaging Strategy
08:45 – Why Assumed Knowledge Breaks Outsourcing
12:30 – When & How to Review Your Messaging
15:30 – ChatGPT vs Claude: Which AI is Best for Business?
18:30 – How to Train Your AI to Sound Like You
22:00 – Should We “De-AI” Our Marketing Content?
26:00 – Smart Tips for Using AI for Marketing Effectively
30:00 – Where to Learn More from Tahnée
LINKS MENTIONED:
✨ Download Tahnée’s ChatGPT Brand Voice Guide
Get her 3-prompt Brand Voice Mastery Guide to start sounding more like you in under 20 minutes: https://thestrategystudio.myflodesk.com/qy35mtsskb
📝 Kickstart Your Content Planning with Tahnée’s 20-Minute Guide
Download her simple guide to spark endless content ideas for marketing your business: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6358ca8812249eb974a437f4
🌐 Visit The Strategy Studio
Explore Tahnée’s services and resources: https://thestrategystudio.com
📱 Follow Tahnée’s on Instagram
@thestrategystudio
💼 Connect with Tahnée’s on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/Tahnéesanders
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this solo episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens shares practical hiring tips for small businesses, unpacking the five key shifts that are shaping how small business owners need to approach hiring in 2025 and what to do to make your next hire the right one.
If you're a business owner planning to hire this year (or even thinking about it), this episode is your heads-up on the new realities in today’s hiring market. From the rise of AI-polished CVs to shifting salary expectations and faster hiring cycles, Paula unpacks the essential tips that will help you avoid common hiring traps and bring the right person into your business with confidence.
You’ll hear why relying on ‘gut feel’ is no longer enough, how to stand out to the right candidates (without sounding like a robot), and the #1 mistake that’s costing small businesses top talent right now.
Whether you're hiring now or preparing to grow later this year, this is essential listening to protect your time, energy and money, and hire with clarity in a rapidly evolving market.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- The 5 big shifts in hiring you need to understand in 2025
- Why AI is changing how resumes are written (and what that means for you)
- What makes a job ad stand out in a crowded market
- Why speed is now a critical hiring advantage
- The do’s and don’ts of listing salary ranges
- How to use reference checks to avoid expensive hiring mistakes
- Paula’s favourite interview structure to find the right fit fast
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Welcome from Byron Bay + Why Hiring Feels Different in 2025
02:14 – Shift #1: The AI Impact on CVs, Cover Letters & Interviews
07:03 – Shift #2: Generic Job Ads Are Turning Candidates Off
10:21 – Shift #3: Why You Must Move Quickly to Secure Top Talent
13:45 – Shift #4: Salary Expectations Are Higher - Here’s What to Do
18:54 – Shift #5: Reference Checks Are More Valuable Than Ever
21:50 – Paula’s Top Hiring Tips for Small Businesses in 2025
24:12 – Wrap-Up: How to Hire with Confidence in a Changing Market
LINKS MENTIONED:
🎯 Kick-Ass Interview Masterclass – Master your interview skills with Paula’s short course. Click here: https://paulamaidens.com/go/kick-ass-interviewing-masterclass/
📞 Book a Dream Team Discovery Call – Get Paula’s personal guidance for your next hire. Click here: https://paulamaidens.com/go/discovery-call-45-minute/
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this practical and eye-opening episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens dives into the hidden fears that hold many small business owners back from making their next hire.
If you've ever delayed writing a job ad, second-guessed your interview process, or wondered if you're really ready to bring someone on board, this one’s for you. Paula shares real, actionable hiring tips for small businesses, pulling back the curtain on what’s really going on beneath the surface of “I’m just too busy to hire”.
With over 20 years' experience and her proven Hiring Mastery™️Method, she’ll walk you through the five common fears around hiring from fear of making the wrong choice, to concerns about cost, onboarding time, and “what if no one good applies?”. You'll walk away with small business hiring strategies you can implement straight away to start building the dream team your business needs.
This episode is full of smart, honest and down-to-earth hiring advice for small business owners who are ready to stop doing it all themselves and start hiring with clarity and confidence.
🔍 Paula also shares how you can work with her via her Hiring Mastery™️Method whether you want strategic hand-holding or a repeatable DIY process.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- The five most common fears keeping small business owners stuck when it comes to hiring
- Why your job ad might be attracting the wrong applicants and how to fix it
- The overlooked cost of delay when you put off your next hire
- Fresh hiring tips for small businesses that make onboarding feel achievable
- How to build your confidence in interviews and assess candidates with ease
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Why small business owners delay hiring (and how fear shows up)
03:45 – Hiring tips for small businesses: Fear #1 – What if I hire the wrong person?
09:40 – Smart hiring tips: Fear #2 – I can’t afford the hire I really want
15:20 – Time-saving hiring tips: Fear #3 – I don’t have time to train someone properly
22:50 – Fear #4 – What if they don’t work out? (and how to handle it like a pro)
29:15 – Small business hiring tips: Fear #5 – What if no one good applies?
36:00 – How fear-based procrastination delays hiring (and costs you more than you think)
41:30 – Hiring tips for small business owners: How the Hiring Mastery™️Method builds confidence
44:40 – Book your Dream Team Discovery Call and get personalised hiring advice
LINKS MENTIONED:
Explore the Team Performance Audit – a powerful tool to pinpoint where trust (and performance) is breaking down in your business. This includes a detailed questionnaire, a 45-minute strategy call, and a written recommendations report.
🔗Click here: https://paulamaidens.com/go/team-performance-audit/
Book a Discovery Call - Unsure of where to start? Let’s talk it through. Access my free resource - a complimentary 45-minute discovery call to explore your specific challenges and what support will make the biggest difference.
🔗Book here: https://paulamaidens.com/go/discovery-call-45-minute/
Transform your hiring process with the Hiring Mastery™️ Method – a comprehensive self-paced course designed specifically for small business owners who want to hire with confidence, not overwhelm. Get the clarity you need to make better hiring decisions, plus enjoy a bonus Private Implementation Call with Paula for personalised guidance tailored to your business.
🔗Get Started here: https://paulamaidens.com/go/hiring-mastery/
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:
In this much-needed episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens dives into a growing issue that’s costing business owners serious time, money and peace of mind. It is the difference between advice and opinion.
Paula unpacks how well-meaning but misinformed recommendations can derail your decision-making and explains how to safeguard yourself and your business by learning to tell the difference. Drawing on her own 20+ years in HR, recruitment and business ownership, she shares practical guidance on when to lean into others' experiences, and when to seek genuine, expert advice that will stand up under pressure.
If you’ve ever been swayed by someone else’s "this worked for me" suggestion, hired based on a referral in a Facebook group, or used a shared document as a legal template, this episode is a must-listen.
Paula also introduces her Team Performance Audit, her powerful service designed to give business owners personalised, expert advice about their unique team setup, challenges and goals.
🎧 Listen in and learn the key questions to ask when someone is giving you input so you can stop relying on borrowed opinions and start making confident, informed decisions that truly suit your business.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- The critical difference between advice, opinion and shared experience
- Four common ways that advice gets confused with opinion (and why it matters)
- How to protect your business from costly mistakes by asking better questions
- Why your growing business needs to move beyond scrappy, borrowed advice
- The shift every CEO must make from free Facebook feedback to expert guidance
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction: The advice epidemic in business
01:31 – The danger of taking opinion as expert advice
03:12 – Paula’s personal standard for giving advice
05:40 – The “sample size of one” problem and the difference between advice and opinion
08:22 – Generalists giving specialist advice
10:41 – Industry norms versus legal compliance
12:52 – Why Paula refers clients to lawyers
15:12 – The risks of taking advice from Facebook groups
17:34 – Who you should take advice from (and why)
20:00 – Evolving beyond scrappy startup decisions
22:14 – Questions to ask to test real expertise
24:28 – Introducing the Team Performance Audit
25:40 – Final thoughts: Protect your business with real advice
LINKS MENTIONED:
Explore the Team Performance Audit – a powerful tool to pinpoint where trust (and performance) is breaking down in your business. This includes a detailed questionnaire, a 45-minute strategy call, and a written recommendations report.
Click here: 👉🏻 https://paulamaidens.com/go/team-performance-audit/
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this solo episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens dives deep into one of the most pivotal elements of team performance: trust.
If you’ve ever felt like your team isn’t quite stepping up, you’re constantly being pulled into decisions, or you’re stuck re-doing tasks instead of driving strategy, this episode is for you.
Paula shares real-life stories from her clients (and her own consulting experience) to show how misplaced or mismanaged trust can become a massive bottleneck to your business growth. You’ll hear why trust isn’t binary, how to avoid the trap of micromanagement, and what to do when trust breaks down within your team.
You’ll also learn the five signs that trust is off-track and how building it the right way can free up your time, improve your systems, and help your business scale with confidence.
This is a must listen for business owners growing beyond the $600K–$3M mark who want their team to operate at a high level without needing to be in every conversation.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- Why trust is the cornerstone of high-performing teams (and what it really looks like in action)
- The common “trust traps” many small business owners fall into
- Five warning signs that your current trust levels are holding back growth
- The cost of micromanagement (and how it silently erodes performance)
- How to build trust with clear expectations, transparency and developmental feedback
- Simple strategies to create accountability, autonomy, and collaboration
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction: The Power of Trust in Teams
02:00 – What Trust Actually Looks Like in a Business
06:00 – The Trust Tightrope: Overtrust, Undertrust, and Missteps
12:00 – Warning Signs That Trust is Missing (or Too Loose)
17:00 – How to Build and Rebuild Trust With Your Team
22:00 – Wrap-Up & Next Steps: Where to Go From Here
LINKS MENTIONED:
Explore the Team Performance Audit – a powerful tool to pinpoint where trust (and performance) is breaking down in your business. This includes a detailed questionnaire, a 45-minute strategy call, and a written recommendations report.
Click here: 👉🏻 https://paulamaidens.com/team-performance-audit
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this powerful episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens is joined by Shelly Horton – journalist, TV presenter, women’s health advocate, and founder of ShellShocked Media. Shelly brings her trademark humour, candour, and energy as they dive into an essential and often overlooked topic: navigating perimenopause whilst running a business and leading a team.
Shelly shares her deeply personal journey through perimenopause, including the hidden challenges she faced with brain fog, anxiety, and depression. Together, they discuss why education is critical, how workplaces can better support women, and practical strategies for managing the mental load, rebuilding confidence, and speaking with impact – even on difficult days.
The conversation also explores how Shelly’s advocacy work is transforming discussions about women's health in businesses across Australia, and how her upcoming book I’m Your Peri Godmother aims to be the guide she wished she had.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to normalise conversations around women’s health, support themselves and their team better, and show up as their most powerful self.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- How perimenopause affects the brain and business performance
- The warning signs many women miss and why education matters
- Practical strategies to manage brain fog without losing momentum
- How to manage negative self-talk (and the hilarious method Shelley recommends)
- Simple public speaking techniques to present with confidence at any stage of life
- How workplaces, big and small, can create more supportive environments
- Why taking a ‘Zero Day’ can recharge your mental health and productivity
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Shelly Horton and Perimenopause
01:38 Shelly's Personal Journey Through Perimenopause
08:31 The Importance of Awareness and Education
12:14 Understanding Brain Fog and Its Impact
18:39 Strategies for Managing Perimenopause in the Workplace
24:36 Speaking with Confidence: Techniques and Tips
31:20 Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Performance Anxiety
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Pre-order Shelly’s Book: I'm Your Peri Godmother
- Join Shelly’s Workshop: Speak with Impact
- ShellShocked Media Website: https://shellshockedmedia.com
- Follow Shelley on Instagram: @shellyhorton1
- Australasian Menopause Society (Find a Doctor Tool): https://menopause.org.au
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this solo episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens walks through a simple but powerful assessment to evaluate your team's performance and how it may be helping or hindering your business growth. With over 70% of her clients expressing frustration around their team’s output, Paula unpacks the most common performance concerns and explains how to identify the exact areas where your team might be falling short and what to do about it.
If you've ever found yourself wondering if it's okay to expect more from your team (spoiler: it is), this episode will help you step fully into your CEO role, assess what your business truly needs, and feel confident making changes that lead to stronger performance and better results.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- Why 70% of business owners want more from their team
- How to assess if your team is truly delivering what your business needs
- The four core categories to evaluate team performance
- What effective communication and accountability actually looks like
- How to shift out of micromanaging and into leading with clarity
- Why change resistance might be stalling your growth
EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Assessing Team Performance for Business Growth
02:46 – Key Areas of Team Evaluation
06:01 – Initiative and Problem Solving
08:47 – Communication and Accountability
12:06 – Embracing Change and Growth
14:51 – Final Thoughts on Team Performance
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Team Performance Audit – A personalised audit process that helps you assess your team’s current performance, identify key gaps, and create a clear plan of action. Includes a detailed questionnaire, a 45-minute strategy call, and a written recommendations report.
- High Performing Teams Workshop – Brisbane, 14 May – A live in-person event for business owners ready to elevate their team culture, performance and leadership. Join Paula for a practical workshop designed to help you build a team that drives sustainable business growth.
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Growing pains aren't just for growing teenagers… your business experiences them too!
In this value packed episode, Paula Maidens dives into a challenge that catches many successful business owners by surprise: why your once-perfect team dynamics often struggle as you approach that exciting $1M revenue milestone.
With 15+ years of hands-on experience guiding businesses through team transformations, Paula breaks down the three predictable breakdown points that emerge during growth phases.
Plus, she shares practical, implementable solutions to help you navigate these transitions without losing momentum.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- The surprising truth about why more revenue often leads to less freedom (not more!)
- What's really happening when your previously rock-star team members suddenly seem overwhelmed
- The hidden reason your communication systems start breaking under pressure
- When those "wear-all-the-hats" roles that worked brilliantly in early days become business bottlenecks
- How your collaborative, everyone-has-input approach might actually be stalling your growth
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Simple yet powerful adjustments to streamline communication when complexity increases
- A fresh approach to evolving roles that honours your team's strengths while supporting growth
- The decision-making framework that frees you from being the bottleneck (without losing control)
Whether you're currently feeling these growing pains or planning your path to that next revenue milestone, this episode gives you the practical roadmap to evolve your team structure with confidence and clarity.
KEY MOMENTS:
[05:32] Why communication systems break down during growth
[13:23] When flexible roles no longer scale effectively
[19:37] How collaborative decision-making becomes a bottleneck
[24:51] Practical framework for empowering team decision-making
[29:31] Introduction to the Team Performance Audit
LINKS MENTIONED:
Team Performance Audit – Paula's personalised assessment to pinpoint exactly where your team needs adjustment
Not sure what you need? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
https://paulamadens.com/team-performance-audit
CONNECT WITH PAULA:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this essential episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I’m interviewing Lisa Turner, founder of Accounted For You, a specialised Zero-only bookkeeping practice helping female-led businesses understand their numbers with clarity and confidence.
With 20 years of experience in finance and accounting and 8 years running her own business, Lisa is passionate about making numbers feel simple.
In this super practical and easy to digest episode, Lisa reveals why many business owners feel overwhelmed by their finances and how this leads to avoidance behaviours that can seriously impact your growth potential. She shares practical tips for moving from financial anxiety to confident decision-making, particularly when growing your team.
What You'll Learn:
- Why understanding your numbers is critical before making hiring decisions
- The common financial mistakes that may be sabotaging your business growth
- How to determine if you're financially ready to hire your next team member
- Practical systems to manage cashflow and prevent tax-time surprises
- Essential financial reports every business owner should regularly review
- The crucial difference between revenue, profit, and cashflow
- Why the "bank balance method" of decision-making is a dangerous trap
Resources Mentioned:
- Lisa's upcoming Learning Hub - covering financial basics for business owners
- Profit First methodology - a framework for managing business finances
Connect with Lisa Turner:
- Website: accountedforyou.com.au
- Instagram: @accountedforyou
- Lisa’s Podcast - Your BookKeeping Matters https://accountedforyou.com.au/your-bookkeeping-matters-podcast/
Podcast: "Your Bookkeeping Matters" - Freebie: Xero Money Saver Guide
Connect with Paula Maidens:
- Website: paulamaidens.com
- Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
- Facebook: Paula Maidens - Building Awesome Teams
- LinkedIn: Paula Maidens
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula shares a powerful framework to transform your team meetings from energy-draining obligations into the strategic engine of your business. Discover the three specific questions that create accountability, reveal obstacles, and develop proactive thinking in your team - ultimately allowing meetings to run effectively even without you present.
What You'll Learn:
- Why most team meetings accidentally create dependency on you as the leader and how to shift this dynamic
- The fundamental difference between informational meetings vs empowering meetings
- Three specific questions that transform meeting energy and outcomes
- How to implement a meeting structure that runs with or without you
- Practical steps to transition your team to this new meeting framework
Chapters:
[00:01:49] Why team meetings often drain energy instead of creating momentum
[04:42:30] The core problem: meetings structured to create dependency on you
[07:07:36] Real example of how Paula implemented self-running team meetings in London
[09:22:25] Why your team meeting should be the engine of your business
[11:47:16] Question #1: Focusing on wins to build positive momentum
[14:11:04] Question #2: Creating clarity and public accountability
[16:32:69] Question #3: Fostering interdependence rather than dependency
[18:50:49] How to implement this structure as your standard meeting agenda
[21:05:69] How this structure gradually reduces the need for your involvement
[23:25:96] Tips for handling initial awkwardness during implementation
[25:28:73] Signs that indicate the new meeting structure is working
[27:49:03] How these questions develop better thinking beyond the meeting room
Resources Mentioned:
Strategic Leadership Circle waitlist
Dream Team Discovery Call booking link
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Are you exhausted from being the only person in your business who can solve problems? Tired of explaining the same things over and over to your team? In this powerful episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens reveals why "telling" might actually be your biggest leadership blindspot.
Discover the simple shift in approach that has helped Paula's clients for over 15 years cut problem-solving time in half and dramatically reduce those frustrating "why are we dealing with this again?" moments that drain your energy as a business owner.
What You'll Learn
- The hidden leadership habit that's accidentally training your team to depend on you
- Why even the most well-intentioned business owners get stuck in the "bottleneck cycle"
- A fundamental mindset shift that transforms how your team operates without you
- The surprising way this tiny change develops true ownership in your team members
- A practical challenge you can implement this week to see immediate results
Highlights
Paula shares a powerful insight that questions activate thinking while answers shut it down. She explores why many small business owners get caught in the trap of being the constant problem-solver and how this apparently efficient approach actually creates long-term inefficiencies in your business.
Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, Paula demonstrates how this simple shift works across various leadership situations, and why investing a little more time now will save you massive amounts of time (and sanity) later.
You'll walk away with a concrete challenge to implement in your business this week, along with the reassurance that this shift from telling to asking is one of the most powerful leadership transformations Paula sees happen in her clients.
Connect With Paula
Ready to transform how you lead your team and create the kind of responsibility and ownership that frees you up to work ON your business rather than IN it? Book a complimentary Book a Dream Team Discovery Call to discuss your specific situation.
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Here's the truth - working harder isn't the answer to scaling your business. After 14 years of helping business owners build high-performing teams, I've discovered exactly what it takes to break free from operational overwhelm and step into true strategic leadership. In this episode, I'm sharing the framework that will transform how you lead your business.
In This Episode, I Share
- The three distinct phases every business owner goes through (and how to identify where you are)
- Why your excellent operational skills might be the very thing holding your business back
- My proven framework for transforming from overwhelmed operator to strategic CEO
- The surprising truth about why "it's faster to do it myself" is costing you more than just time
- A powerful client story of transformation (from working through kids' activities to acquiring a new business)
I've been exactly where you are - trying to do it all, be it all, manage it all. The good news? It's not a permanent state. Let me show you exactly how to break free and create the space your business needs to grow (and you need to thrive)
🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward the leadership evolution your business needs.
Episode Chapters
0:00 - Welcome & Introduction
2:14 - Why Working Harder Isn't the Answer
5:32 - The Three Phases of Leadership Evolution
9:45 - Breaking Free from the Operator Trap
13:20 - The EMPOWER Framework Introduction
15:45 - Real Client Transformation Story
18:30 - Action Steps for Your Evolution
20:15 - Next Steps & Resources.
Ready to Transform Your Leadership?
Book your FREE Dream Team Discovery Call and let's discuss your path to becoming the strategic CEO your business needs >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Are your business values secretly working against your team's performance? In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I'm sharing a practical framework for using values-based communication to transform your team culture. Whether you have formal company values or not, this episode will show you how to tap into the values already driving your business and use them to create the culture you actually want in 2025.
What You'll Learn:
-
Why your business values exist and shape your culture (even if they're not written down)
-
The common mistake that creates two competing cultures in your business
-
A 4-step framework for values-based communication that drives real change
-
How to handle difficult conversations without diluting your message
-
Practical ways to prevent performance issues before they arise
Key Takeaways:
👉 Your values are already shaping your culture - learn how to harness them intentionally
👉 Clear communication beats sugar-coating every time
👉 Values support conversations, they don't replace them
👉 Daily actions matter more than written statements
Work With Me:
-
Ready to transform your leadership approach and build a high-performing team? Learn more about my programs and services at paulamaidens.com
-
Join the waitlist for my upcoming group program by emailing hello@paulamaidens.com
-
Not sure what you need? Book a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call to discuss what's right for you
Loved This Episode?
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with other ambitious business owners, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review. Your support helps me bring more actionable insights to help you build your dream team!
Let's Connect:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I’m pulling back the curtain on how AI tools are helping and hindering hiring, recruitment, leadership, and productivity for small business owners. From streamlining operations to optimising team performance, I’m sharing practical ways I use AI daily—and where it can fall short. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by AI options or looking to maximise efficiency, this episode will give you insights and actionable tips to leverage AI strategically in your business.
What You’ll Learn:
- The AI tools I use every day to boost productivity and enhance team performance.
- How AI can help with hiring processes, from job ads to role descriptions.
- The biggest mistakes to avoid when using AI for hiring or recruitment
- Why AI isn't a replacement for strategic leadership but a tool to support it.
- Practical tips to ensure AI is used effectively and ethically in your business.
Join the Conversation:
Share your thoughts on this episode! Connect with me on Instagram @paulamaidensconsulting and let me know how you're using AI in your business.
Work With Me:
- If you're looking to optimise your hiring strategy and leadership approach for 2025, I'd love to support you. Learn more about my programmes and services at paulamaidens.com
- Join the waitlist for Paula’s upcoming group program and express your interest by emailing hello@paulamaidens.com
- Not sure what you need? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Loved This Episode?
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with your network, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review. Your support helps me bring more actionable insights to help you build your rockstar team!
Let’s Connect:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
As a small business owner, your leadership style directly impacts your team—and ultimately, your business success.
In this episode, we dive into three common leadership habits that could be holding you back in 2025.
Discover practical strategies to shift from frustration to freedom and create a high-performing team that thrives without your constant oversight.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Why most business owners unknowing hold onto habits that stunt their team’s growth
- The #1 mindset shift that will free you from micromanaging.
- Why Hiring for Attitude and Training for Skills is BAD ADVICE and ultimately hurting your small business—and what to do instead.
- Why promoting your longest standing team member can lead to poor leadership dynamics in your business
- Actionable tips to break these habits and lead with clarity and confidence.
Resources Mentioned:
- Book a 2-hour Strategic Clarity Session with Paula
- Join the waitlist for Paula’s upcoming group program and express your interest by emailing hello@paulamaidens.com
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
We're pulling back the curtain on what 2024 really looked like - beyond the glossy social media highlights and into the reality of running a business!
In this special end-of-year episode, I'm sharing MY full picture of running a successful business - from the moments that had me pouring a glass of bubbly to the days that had me questioning everything. Because real business growth isn't just about the victories we post online - it's about how we handle the difficult days, what we learn from our mistakes, and how we keep showing up even when things don't go to plan.
Join me for an honest conversation about the wins, the challenges, and those messy middle moments that actually shape us as business owners and leaders.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
- The unexpected benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone in business
- Real strategies for building genuine business relationships that last
- How to turn business challenges into opportunities for growth
- The truth about balancing professional success with personal wellbeing
- Game-changing approaches to leadership and team development
- Why creating margin in your business is crucial for long-term success
Timestamps:
[00:00] Why sharing the real story matters - not just the highlight reel
[02:15] The journey back to meaningful in-person connections
[09:45] When business plans meet reality: VIP days and unexpected pivots
[16:30] Getting real about revenue dips and relationship challenges
[22:15] Why time and financial buffers aren't just nice-to-haves
[28:45] Exciting sneak peek: What's brewing for 2025
[32:30] Holiday reflections and invitation to connect
Our favourite quote:
"True success isn't just about the numbers - it's about building a life and business that can flex when life throws its inevitable surprises at us."
Resources Mentioned:
- HBDI Accreditation: The game-changing tool reshaping how we understand teams - Check out Episode 158 to learn more about HBDI.
- Angela Henderson's Conference: Where business strategy meets personal growth - Check out Angela Henderson on socials here
- Our YouTube Experiment: Join us as we play with new ways to connect
Holiday Update:
We're taking a full three-week break to reset and recharge. The podcast returns in January 2025 with fresh perspectives on building exceptional teams, elevating your leadership, and creating sustainable success. Until then, there's a treasure trove of episodes waiting for you in our back catalog!
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Want to make sure you hear about the new in-person events for 2025? Email us at hello@paulamaidens.com and we’ll make sure you are the first to hear about it!
Curious about working with Paula in 2025? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Tags: #BusinessReality #LeadershipJourney #TeamBuilding #Entrepren
What if the secret to scaling your business wasn't about rigid systems, but about leading with your values?
In this inspiring episode, Helen Wait shares how she transformed her solo occupational therapy practice into ActivOT, Australia's first OT franchise business with over 65 franchisees across five states.
From unconventional hiring practices to creating a culture that truly puts people first, Helen reveals how she built a multi-million dollar healthcare empire without compromising her values or vision.
Whether you're dreaming of franchising your business or simply want to scale while maintaining your culture, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for value-driven entrepreneurs.
About Our Guest
Helen Wait is the founder of ActivOT, the world's first occupational therapy franchise business. Founded in 2007 after the birth of her third child, Helen has grown ActivOT from a solo practice to a network of over 65 franchisees serving more than 8,000 clients across five Australian states.
Episode Highlights
[02:05] Helen shares how a conversation with another successful franchisor inspired her business model
[07:44] The pivotal moment that led Helen from working 18-hour days to building her dream team
[14:37] Why Helen chose franchising over traditional employment models
[17:40] The importance of regular business planning and reflection
[20:50] Helen's unique approach to hiring: "I don't actually ever interview"
[25:44] How to build and maintain an amazing culture across a large organisation
[28:25] Creating roles around people's passions rather than forcing people into roles
[33:21] Helen's top three business lessons for entrepreneurs
CONNECT WITH HELEN
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/helen.whait/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/helenwhaitactivot
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-whait/
Website - www.activot.com.au
For Occupational Therapists - https://www.activot.com.au/franchise-opportunities/
For referrals to ActivOT Practitioners - https://www.activot.com.au/referrals/
CONNECT WITH PAULA
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Have you ever wondered why some tasks energise you while others leave you drained? Or why certain people’s problem-solving approaches make perfect sense to you, while others leave you feeling baffled?
In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula Maidens explores the fascinating world of thinking preferences and how understanding them can transform your leadership style and team dynamics.
Paula shares her journey with the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), a powerful tool that has redefined the way she leads, collaborates, and even connects in her personal life. Drawing on real-world examples from her business journey, Paula explains how the four quadrants of thinking—analytical, practical, relational, and creative—shape how we approach problems, make decisions, and communicate.
Whether you're the quick-to-act practical thinker or the big-picture creative dreamer, this episode will help you uncover your brain’s natural preferences and understand how they influence your leadership and team interactions.
Paula also shares how stress impacts our default thinking patterns and offers practical insights on harnessing the strengths of your team’s diverse thinking styles to achieve big dreams together.
Tune in to discover how aligning your leadership style with your natural thinking preferences can unlock higher performance, joy and satisfaction for you and your team.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The four thinking modes and what they mean for your leadership.
- How to identify your natural problem-solving style and recognise blind spots.
- Tips to harness the strengths of different thinking styles within your team.
Hit play now and start uncovering the secrets to becoming a self-aware, effective leader!
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who would find it valuable!
CHAPTERS
[00:01] Introduction to thinking preferences and how they affect leadership
[02:22] A personal story: Navigating conflict through different thinking styles
[06:41] Revisiting the HBDI tool: What it reveals about brain preferences
[08:59] How stress shifts our default thinking patterns
[11:13] Overview of the four thinking quadrants: Analytical, Practical, Relational, Creative
[15:34] Practical applications of thinking preferences in business and leadership
[20:56] Key takeaway: Leveraging thinking differences for team success
RESOURCES & Next Steps:
Want to discover your thinking style? Connect with Paula for an HBDI assessment and debrief at https://paulamaidens.com/
Grab a time straight in Paula’s diary by Booking a Dream Team Discovery Call
CONNECT with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Allana Ford, the founder and CEO of Muse Pilates, who has built an incredible fitness empire across Australia in just five years. Since opening her first studio in December 2019, Allana has grown Muse Pilates to 13 locations with nearly 100 team members - and she's just getting started.
In this conversation with Paula, Allana openly shares her leadership journey and the essential business insights that drove her successful scaling story - from building high-performing teams to successfully launching into franchising.
In this episode, Allana shares her entrepreneurial journey with refreshing honesty, including:
- How a personal setback led to spotting a gap in the market
- The real challenges of scaling while raising young children
- Key turning points in her business growth
- Recent exciting developments including franchising and online education
If you're looking to scale your business or dream of building something bigger than yourself, this episode is packed with practical insights.
Allana gets candid about:
- The critical decisions that accelerated her growth
- How she's built and maintained quality across multiple locations
- Her approach to building high-performing teams
- The realities of protecting your energy while scaling
You'll especially love this episode if you're:
- A business owner looking to scale
- Interested in franchising opportunities
- Balancing business growth with family life
- Looking for practical leadership insights
Don't miss this honest conversation about what it really takes to build a multi-million dollar business while maintaining high standards and a great culture.
Highlights
[00:01:33] From startup to scale: The Muse Pilates origin story
[03:35] Critical business scaling lessons from the early years
[05:30] Leadership strategies while managing rapid growth
[08:06] Essential systems for scaling from 2 to 13 studios
[12:14] Team building and hiring processes evolution
[21:52] Strategic business expansion through franchising
[27:50] Scaling through online business diversification
[30:55] Key leadership decisions that accelerated growth
Connect With Allana
Instagram @theallanaford and Tiktok @allana.ford
Website: musepilates.com.au and spicypilates.com
Connect with Paula
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Keen to explore working with Paula? >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
In this episode, Paula shares her thoughts on the debate between time management and energy management. Paula reflects on a recent discussion she heard about the shift from time management being the gold standard to energy management taking the lead and explores how both concepts are crucial for productivity and well-being, ultimately arguing that they complement each other rather than compete.
Highlights
- Effectively managing time creates the space needed for energy management practices.
- Without time awareness, maximising energy becomes challenging.
- Balancing time and energy is essential for achieving high performance.
- Each person has different brain thinking styles, affecting how they approach tasks and manage time and energy.
- Recognising your thinking patterns can enhance your efficiency and enjoyment in business.
- Learn a little about different brain thinking styles and their impact on productivity.
Resources Mentioned:
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey
"The Power of Full Engagement" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Explore Working with Paula:
Check out & Book a 90 Minute Strategic Clarity Session with Paula >> Here
Not sure what you need? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula sits down with Dr. Jodi Richardson, a leading expert on anxiety and mental health, to dive deep into the complexities of anxiety, stress management, and burnout. Dr. Jodi shares her personal journey and professional insights, offering practical tools and strategies for managing anxiety in both personal and professional contexts.
You'll gain a clear understanding of the difference between normal and problematic anxiety, and learn effective techniques to manage in-the-moment anxiety and reduce overall stress. They also discuss how to recognize the signs of burnout and the critical connection between anxiety and burnout.
If you're a business owner or manager, Dr. Jodi provides valuable advice on supporting team members struggling with anxiety. You'll learn how to approach mental health conversations in the workplace, recognize the signs of burnout in yourself and others, and provide meaningful support for a more resilient team.
Highlights:
- Understanding the difference between normal vs. problematic anxiety
- Practical strategies for managing anxiety and reducing stress in the moment
- Why avoidance and anxiety are often linked
- Addressing mental health in the workplace and supporting team members with anxiety
- Key signs you're nearing burnout and how to manage it before it impacts your mental health
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Anxiety and Burnout
02:48 Understanding Anxiety: Definitions and Symptoms
06:11 Normal vs. Problematic Anxiety
09:05 Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety
12:04 Supporting Others with Anxiety in the Workplace
18:52 The Connection Between Anxiety and Burnout
30:00 The Importance of Connection for Mental Health
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
Website: https://drjodirichardson.com/
Books:https://drjodirichardson.com/shop/
Hello Anxiety Podcast https://podfollow.com/1585382774
Enquiries:hello@drjodirichardson.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJodiRichardson/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jodi-richardson-15589240/
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula dives deep into the strategic activities you can prioritise in Q4 to wrap up 2024 on a high note and set your business and team up for success in 2025.
From celebrating wins and reflecting on lessons learned to checking in on your team's well-being, this episode is packed with actionable insights for small business owners.
Paula shares practical tips for incorporating team feedback, recognition, and incentives into your year-end planning.
Plus, she explores how these activities will minimise your potential staff turnover, by boosting your team morale and create a proactive, high-performing team who are excited for the year ahead.
Don't skip this episode!
Highlights
-
- Strategic activities to prioritise in Q4 to set your business and team up for success in 2025
- Why it’s critical to recognise your team's hard work and how learning and reflection activities will boost your culture and proactivity in 2025
- Whether end-of-year Team Member check-ins are necessary (or if they can be rolled to the new year).
- Simple ways to incorporate incentives into End Of Year celebrations like Christmas parties in an online or in person way
- Which of these to choose or skip if you are feeling BUSY (or maybe just super tired!) as you run to the finish line of 2024
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Year-End Strategies
04:22 Capacity Planning and Resource Allocation
08:09 The Importance of Performance Reviews
10:58 Goal Setting for the New Year
12:46 Team Reflection and Celebrating Wins
15:33 Feedback and Team Check-Ins
19:18 Recognition, Incentives, and Rewards
23:31 Strategic Planning for 2025
LINKS:
Check out & Book a 90 Minute Strategic Clarity Session with Paula >> Here
Not sure what you need? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
CONNECT with Paula on Socials:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, we dive into the strategies that can help small business owners turn challenging days into opportunities for growth and innovation and ultimately make business more profitable and sustainable.
Paula is joined by special guest Peta Serras, founder of Professional Babe, who shares her extensive entrepreneurial journey and insights into profitability, email marketing, and business automation.
We discuss the importance of setting up businesses for sustainability, particularly through effective onboarding processes and the use of email marketing as a powerful tool for engagement and sales.
Peta shares her 'bad day business model' concept to build a resilient and profitable business and we explore the role of AI in streamlining business operations, team management and business strategies.
Dive in to hear the transformative power of business automation and how this can help you to keep your team costs low and lean.
What You’ll Learn:
- Effective Email Marketing: Discover how to leverage email marketing to communicate with your team and clients during tough times, ensuring clarity and collaboration.
- Smart Business Automation: Learn how implementing business automation tools can streamline your operations, allowing you to focus on strategic growth rather than daily chaos.
- Team Management Techniques: Practical team management techniques to foster a supportive environment.
- Building a Resilient Business Model: Understand how to create a 'bad day' business model that prepares you for unexpected challenges and maintains your momentum.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Peta Serres and Her Journey
03:02 The Importance of Profitability and Streamlining
05:52 Email Marketing: A Game Changer for Businesses
08:55 Onboarding and Customer Experience Automation
11:55 Building a Bad Day Business Model
14:51 The Role of AI in Business Efficiency
18:01 Identifying Opportunities for Automation
21:02 Behind the Scenes: Peta's Team and Operations
23:52 Key Takeaways and Final Advice
CONNECT with Peta:
Website — https://www.professionalbabe.com/
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/professionalbabe/
Give Good Email — https://www.professionalbabe.com/give-good-email/
CONNECT with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Explore working with Paula Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of building a strong and loyal team—rewarding employees. As your small business grows, choosing the right remuneration model can be a game-changer for attracting and retaining top talent. From salary-based pay to commission structures and staff incentive schemes, we’ll cover the simplest and most effective ways to reward your team and keep them motivated.
Join me, Paula Maidens, as I walk you through the most common pay models that small businesses like yours are using today—including salary-based pay, hourly wages, commission-based structures, and performance bonuses. I’ll also touch on more advanced incentive-based remuneration models and when they might make sense for your business. Tune in for real-world examples from both Australian and global companies, and learn how these models can help you create a high-performing team without complicating your payroll.
Whether you're hiring your first employee or scaling your team, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you choose the right approach for rewarding your staff effectively!
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- The key differences between salary-based, commission-based, and performance-based pay models.
- Real-world examples of businesses using these pay structures to grow their teams.
- Why staff incentive schemes are more than just a perk—they're essential for employee motivation and retention.
- Simple tips for implementing a pay model that suits your business needs and budget.
- How to avoid common pitfalls when choosing a remuneration model for your small business.
Takeaways: Rewarding your employees is more than just paying a salary—it's about creating a staff incentive schemes that drives performance and builds a loyal, motivated team. Listen to this episode to discover the best ways to implement pay models that work for your small business, without overcomplicating the process!
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Pay Structures in Business
03:06 Exploring Salary-Based Remuneration
06:07 Hourly Wage Model Explained
08:51 Commission-Based Pay: Incentivizing Sales
12:05 Performance-Based Bonuses: Rewarding Achievements
17:47 Incentive-Based Remuneration: Flexibility in Rewards
22:53 Complex Models: Profit Sharing and Equity
30:09 Choosing the Right Pay Structure
Explore working with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, host Paula Maidens dives into the five critical leadership habits that CEOs of small businesses need to break in order to scale successfully.
As your business grows, the leadership strategies that worked in the early days often become roadblocks to further success. Paula explores common pitfalls such as expecting employees to work at the same speed as the CEO, hiring for comfort rather than business needs, and promoting based on tenure.
Packed with practical advice, real-life examples, and insights on how to shift your mindset, this episode is essential listening for small business CEOs looking to elevate their leadership and grow their teams effectively.
Tune in to discover how breaking these leadership habits can help you build a stronger, more scalable business.
Highlights
- Stop thinking, I'll tell them once and then they should just do it.
- Context creates clarity in communication.
- You can't expect everybody to work as fast as you do.
- Your job as a leader is to build a cohesive team.
- Hire for skills and capabilities, not for comfort or familiarity.
- Loyalty should not be the sole reason for promotions.
- Comfort in hiring can limit business growth.
- Leadership requires letting go of old habits.
- Stretching yourself is essential for business growth.
- Your business will only grow to the extent you're willing to be uncomfortable.
Chapters
00:00 Elevating Leadership: Key Traps to Avoid
06:12 Building a Diverse and Effective Team
12:31 The Importance of Challenging Comfort Zones
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula reveals five proven strategies to measure and optimise your team’s productivity. With real-world examples, she demonstrates how increasing team productivity leads directly to higher profitability and greater financial success for your business.
If you’re a small business owner committed to growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you quickly identify areas where your team can improve and drive tangible gains in efficiency and profit.
Highlights
- How to create a clear roadmap to success for your team with self-tracking, defined goals, and KPIs.
- The hidden links between high-quality work, rework costs, and how they impact your profitability.
- The often-overlooked power of team collaboration, and how to measure its direct impact on your bottom line.
- The unnoticed opportunity cost of disengaged employees, and how their lack of initiative could be limiting your profits.
Every successful small business should prioritise productivity—tune in to discover how to transform your team’s performance and boost your financial results!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Productivity in Small Businesses
06:16 Chapter 2: The Impact of Quality Work on Profitability
09:54 Chapter 3: Timely Delivery: A Key to Increased Revenue
12:08 Chapter 4: Team Collaboration: Eliminating Bottlenecks and Boosting Efficiency
15:07 Chapter 5: The Power of Employee Engagement in Driving Profitability
22:01 Conclusion: The Link Between Productivity and Profitability
Explore Working With Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Jane McFadden, an entrepreneur, former psychologist, author, neurodiversity specialist, and neuroscientist, shares her personal experience and academic knowledge on ADHD, entrepreneurship, and business.
She discusses her journey from traditional psychology to starting her own psychology company (now the largest in Australia), and the challenges she faced in the early years as a neurodivergent individual.
Jane talks about the importance of understanding neurodivergent individuals and breaking the stigma surrounding autism and ADHD.
She shares her experiences with managing a team and the difficulties she faces in small talk, performance management and prioritizing tasks.
Dive in to hear this open, raw and real conversation where Paula and Jane discuss neurotypical versus neurodivergent traits and the challenges and strengths of being an entrepreneur with ADHD and in particular, the unique perspectives and abilities of neurodivergent entrepreneurs overall.
Highlights
- Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD and autism, may struggle in traditional work settings and with consistency in tasks
- Understanding and accepting neurodivergent individuals is crucial in breaking the stigma surrounding autism and ADHD.
- Neurodivergent individuals may have unique strengths, such as intense focus and attention to detail, that can contribute to their success in specific areas.
- Self-awareness and self-diagnosis are important for individuals with ADHD, even if they choose not to pursue a formal diagnosis.
- Being aware of how your brain works and understanding the needs of your team and family members is essential for creating an inclusive environment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Jane McFadden
05:29 Starting Body and Mind Online: Challenges and Early Years
12:43 Managing Staff and Overcoming Struggles
18:10 Understanding Autism and ADHD: Language and Awareness
29:09 The Expertise and Challenges of Being an ADHD Entrepreneur
30:05 The Benefits of Entrepreneurship for Neurodivergent Individuals
32:08 Navigating Team Management and Small Talk
36:44 The Highs and Lows of ADHD and Entrepreneurship
39:34 Finding the Right Balance and Prioritizing Tasks
44:47 The Importance of Hiring Thinkers
49:26 The Power of Self-Awareness and Inclusion
Connect with Jane
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adhd_mums/
Website www.adhdmums.com.au
Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/adhd-mums/id1686843092
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, Paula shares her #1 philosophy in business and life and that is… the power of choice. In this personal share, she opens up about how this applies to various aspects of her life and business and how this belief is empowering and stress relieving!
Paula shares personal examples of how she has applied this philosophy including closing her yoga studio during the pandemic and making numerous changes in her multiple businesses over the years.
She also explores common situations where entrepreneurs may feel stuck and offers insights on how to approach them with a mindset of choice.
Highlights
- Having a choice does not dismiss the feelings or discomfort we feel when things aren’t going the way we want them to.
- Recognizing our power to choose can be empowering and stress-relieving.
- Feeling stuck often comes from forgetting that we have a choice.
- When faced with a situation that is not ideal, we can choose to accept it, change it, or make a decision later.
- Making choices consciously and strategically will lead to positive outcomes and personal growth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Philosophy of Choice
01:25 The Power of Choice in Various Areas of Life
06:26 Personal Example: Choosing to Close a Business
13:29 Common Situations: Feeling Stuck and Making Choices
20:39 The Relief and Empowerment of Recognizing Your Choices
LINKS:
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
CONNECT with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of Team Events and how to build High Performing Teams with the incredible Mykel Dixon - a jazz musician, award-winning speaker, award-winning author and recognised authority and professional speaker for Fortune 500 and ASX200 listed companies.
He shares his expert insights on engaging participants and creating transformative experiences at team events. Starting with a clear purpose through to prioritising connection over content, Myke’s approach ensures that every event becomes an opportunity for meaningful interactions and lasting memories.
Discover how you can design events that foster vulnerability, authenticity, and genuine connections. Whether you’re planning a team-building retreat or a company celebration, this episode will provide you with valuable takeaways to elevate your events and enhance your team's performance.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on creating impactful events and building high-performing teams!
Highlights
- Start events with a clear purpose and set the right context to engage participants.
- Prioritise connection over content and create opportunities for people to connect with each other.
- Create a safe space for vulnerability and encourage authenticity.
- Events have the power to transform people's lives and create lasting memories.
- The purpose of events is to connect people to themselves and each other.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Myke Dixon
07:03 The Importance of Connection at Events
10:56 Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerability
19:52 Designing Events with Purpose
25:07 Overcoming Challenges in Event Planning
32:25 The Power of Gifted Experiences
CONNECT WITH MYKEL DIXON
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykeldixon/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mykeldixon
Website: https://www.mykeldixon.com/
CONNECT WITH PAULA
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula dives into the different types of subcontractors that are available, and in particular she compares hiring a Subcontracting Team to a Freelancer.
She explains that while the terms are often used interchangeably, there are technical differences between the two and like all things, each different type has benefits and considerations to consider, to know what’s right for you.
Paula compares the pros and cons of working with subcontractors, such as the potential for scaling up and accessing diverse expertise, as well as the cons of limited control and potential team turnover. She discusses flexibility and cost-effectiveness of working with freelancers, but also discusses the limitations of relying on a single individual.
This episode will help you to work out which is right for you and what factors to keep in mind, including your stage of business, desired level of control, and specific project requirements.
Highlights
- The key difference between Subcontractors and Freelancers including independent entities operating as individuals or companies with a team versus self-employed individuals who offer services to multiple clients without being tied to a particular company.
- The pros and cons of working with subcontractors that include the potential for scaling up and access to diverse expertise, but also limited control and potential team turnover.
- The pros and cons of working with Freelancers who can offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness, but are limited in capacity and individual skills and may be less reliable due to personal circumstances.
- How to know which is right for you - the key factors to consider including the stage of business, desired level of control, and specific project requirements.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:20 Defining Subcontractors and Freelancers
06:26 Pros and Cons of Working with Subcontractors
11:32 The Benefits of Hiring Freelancers
19:27 Choosing the Right Option for Your Business
LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING MASTERY™
Learn more about Paula's HIRING MASTERY™ Method here.
SAVE $ OFF HIRING MASTERY™
- Use coupon code PODCAST24 (at checkout) to get $300 off the upfront price.
- Use coupon code PODCAST24PP at checkout to get $50 off per month for the payment plan option.
Learn more here: https://paulamaidens.com/hiringmastery/
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
This episode addresses a commonly asked question which is How to Retain Employees. Paula discusses the elements to both Attract and Retain Loyal Employees and Team Members which to her, is much more than someone who just ‘stays’ and ‘shows up’ every day in your business.
Paula starts by sharing what loyalty means to her and shares examples of how various employees have demonstrated that in her own businesses in the last 14 years, allowing you to reflect on what loyalty means to you.
Paula then shares practical ways as an entrepreneur that you can ATTRACT and RETAIN loyal employees and team members starting with how you are showing up as the leader.
Paula discusses the practical elements required to create a supportive work environment, lead by example, show appreciation, and support your team members to prioritise work-life balance which are all factors that LOYAL team members are looking for when they join a new business.
Highlights
- Loyalty is more than how long you retain an employee in your business or the fact that they show up every day. It’s a deeper commitment to the team and the business.
- How to create a supportive work environment which is a crucial element for attracting and retaining loyal team members.
- The practical challenge of ‘leading by example’ as an entrepreneur in a small growing business.
- How being consistent in your actions and words helps build trust and loyalty in your team.
- The practical side of being able to prioritise work-life balance for your team and how being able to do this will contribute to an overall sense of loyalty.
- The importance of transparency, clarity, and realistic expectations when hiring and how this links to a long-term loyal team member.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
09:34 Creating a Supportive Work Environment
13:08 Leading by Example and Consistency
16:28 Showing Appreciation and Acknowledging Effort
21:57 Prioritising Work-Life Balance
27:04 Transparency, Clarity, and Realistic Expectations
29:22 Conclusion
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens addresses the importance of reference checks in the hiring process for small business owners. She shares unique insights into a candidate's past performance and work ethic, which you can gather from a reference check, including information that cannot be obtained through interviews or resumes.
When conducted effectively, reference checks can confirm the accuracy of information, and provide a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Paula dives into exactly how to extract that information so you can uncover potential red flags well before someone has been offered the job or has been employed to work with you.
This episode also addresses how to handle negative feedback received during reference checks and whether that means you shouldn’t hire the person into your business.
Highlights
- Reference checks ARE an important step in the hiring process for small business owners and this episode explains why that is the case and how to make them an incredibly helpful step for you.
- How to conduct a Reference Check so that potential red flags are uncovered so you know in advance if the candidate is the right fit for your role.
- Tips for effective reference checks given the limited time you may have with the person.
- What to do if you get a negative reference check. Should you still hire? Does that make them a no? What to consider and further examine to know what to do.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Importance of Reference Checks
01:28 Insights from Reference Checks
04:32 Confirming Accuracy and Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses
07:34 Tips for Effective Reference Checks
12:35 Handling Negative Feedback in Reference Checks
16:21 Conclusion and Invitation to Learn More
LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING MASTERY™
You can learn Paula’s HIRING MASTERY™ METHOD here.
You can now get started at any time and join up to 3 months of group implementation calls for tailored guidance and support.
SAVE $ OFF HIRING MASTERY™
- Use coupon code PODCAST24 (at checkout) to get $300 off the upfront price.
- Use coupon code PODCAST24PP at checkout to get $50 off each month for the payment plan option.
*Coupon codes expire 31st Aug 2024.
Learn more here: https://paulamaidens.com/hiringmastery/
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
*Welcome to our Client Lessons Series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.*
Client Lesson Summary
In this episode, Paula shares a personal lesson from the universe about the importance of delegation and recognising when to ask for help.
Despite having the ability to update her own website, Paula found that doing so was not always the best use of her time. She recounts her experiences with two major website mishaps and the valuable lessons learned about efficiency, delegation, and the importance of pausing before diving into tasks.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Delegation: Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Recognising when to delegate can save time and improve outcomes.
- Learning from Mistakes: Paula shares two stories where her attempts to update her website led to more problems, highlighting the complexities of seemingly simple tasks.
- The Value of Pausing: Taking a moment to assess whether you should do something yourself or delegate it can prevent mistakes and inefficiencies.
- Balancing Excitement and Patience: Paula discusses how adrenaline and excitement can lead to impulsive decisions and the importance of channelling that energy into effective delegation.
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens discusses the difference between hiring a subcontractor and an employee. She addresses common assumptions and myths about each option and provides insights into the pros and cons of both.
Paula covers the importance of considering three key factors: time, commitment, and control and offers insightful questions to help you assess what you need in relation to each of these areas to land on the right answer for you and your business.
Highlights
- The key assumptions and myths that are made when it comes to subcontractors versus employees.
- Whether one model is more ‘flexible’ than the other and if one is better when you are starting out.
- Whether one arrangement is ‘easier’ than the other if it’s ‘not working out’.
- Why you should consider 3 key factors including Time, Commitment, and Control, and how to think about each of these to decide which is right for you.
- Things to consider with subcontractors include flexibility, training, other clients, their business goals and how this may affect your business in the long term.
- Things to consider with employees include the benefits of commitment, control and oversight, and why having a dedicated person in your business creating and following your processes can help you in the longer term.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Subcontractor vs. Employee
03:10 Ending Relationships and Honoring Commitments
09:07 Control: A Key Factor in Hiring
10:53 Finding Clarity for the Right Hiring Model
12:13 Hiring Mastery Method: A Program for Successful Hiring
13:26 Conclusion and Call to Action
LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING MASTERY™
You can learn Paula’s HIRING MASTERY™ METHOD here.
You can now get started at any time and join up to 3 months of group implementation calls for tailored guidance and support.
SAVE $ OFF HIRING MASTERY™
- Use coupon code PODCAST24 (at checkout) to get $300 off the upfront price.
- Use coupon code PODCAST24PP at checkout to get $50 off each month for the payment plan option.
*Coupon codes expire 31st Aug 2024.
Learn more here: https://paulamaidens.com/hiringmastery/
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
*Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.*
Client Lesson Summary
The theme of this lesson is the importance of pausing and not reacting immediately to every urgent situation that arises. By finding the power of the pause, entrepreneurs and CEOs can make considered decisions and regain control of their time and priorities.
The lesson provides strategies for determining the true urgency of a situation and resisting the urge to react immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Not everything that seems urgent actually requires immediate attention.
- By pausing and assessing the true urgency of a situation, entrepreneurs and CEOs can make better decisions.
- Most problems can solve themselves or be handled by someone else if given time.
- Taking a pause allows the initial emotional impact of a situation to dissipate, leading to better clarity of thought.
- By resisting the urge to react immediately, individuals can regain control of their time and priorities.
Chapters
00:00 The Power of the Pause
01:29 Making Considered Decisions
02:28 Letting Problems Solve Themselves
03:26 Clarity of Thought
04:45 Regaining Control
LINKS:
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens discusses the stress that comes with having employees and provides practical tips and strategies to reduce that stress. She emphasises the importance of normalising the stress and reframing the mindset to view employees as an investment rather than just an expense.
Paula also talks about the significance of effective communication, time management techniques, setting boundaries, and building a support system.
Takeaways
- Feeling stressed when you have employees is completely normal and acknowledging it is the first step to managing it effectively.
- Reframe your mindset to view employees as an investment in your business's growth rather than just an expense.
- Effective communication, regular check-ins, and team meetings can prevent misunderstandings and reduce stress.
- Implement time management techniques and set boundaries to protect your time and prioritise tasks.
- Build a support system, including a coach or mentor, and a peer group where you can be vulnerable and discuss your stress.
- View your leadership journey as a continuous learning process and invest in the training and development of your team.
- Reducing your own stress and supporting your team's growth will create a positive culture and reduce overall stress in the business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Stress of Having Employees
03:10 Chapter 1: Normalising the Stress
05:03 Chapter 2: Reframing Your Mindset
09:40 Chapter 3: Effective Communication
11:39 Chapter 4: Time Management Techniques
16:52 Chapter 5: Building a Support System
20:10 Chapter 6: Continuous Learning and Development
22:46 Chapter 7: Creating a Positive Culture
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Welcome to our new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.
Client Lesson Summary
In this episode, we discuss the critical considerations when hiring someone to deliver the same services you provide, meaning when you are hiring someone to do more of what you already do.
This applies to every single business owner and business type, whether you are service-based, e-commerce, in person or remote… It's essential to decide and distinguish between tasks that must be standardised and what areas can vary or where creativity can flourish.
Tune in to hear practical examples and tips on how to ensure your team maintains the quality and integrity of your brand while allowing room for individual expression.
Key Points:
- Introduction (00:00 - 00:30)
- Understanding Standardisation vs. Creativity (00:30 - 01:00)
- Example 1: Yoga Studio (01:00 - 02:30)
- More examples in different industries (02:30 - 03:00)
- Considering the customer experience (03:00 - 04:00)
- The importance of avoiding assumptions (04:00 - 04:30).
- Conclusion & Summary of key takeaways (04:30 - 05:00)
LINKS:
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens explores the necessity of team meetings and how to make them effective. She discusses the signs of unnecessary meetings, such as boredom and long durations, and highlights the importance of impactful and purposeful meetings.
Paula talks about how meetings can foster the key elements required to have a ‘high performing team’ and provides tips for making meetings impactful, relevant, and motivating.
Dive in to hear practical advice including how to plan your meetings in advance so that the right participants are present and participating.
Highlights
- Unnecessary meetings can be identified by key signs including boredom, long meetings and lack of interest from participants.
- The benefits of Effective Team Meetings and how they will foster and encourage a high-performing team
- Clear steps you can take to make meetings impactful, relevant, and motivating including planning the meeting in advance, defining outcomes and ensuring only the right participants are present.
- Hear Paula’s P-O-P method (Purpose, Outcomes, Participation) and how this can be used for effective meeting preparation.
- Team bonding and whether to incorporate these into regular team meetings
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Are Team Meetings Really Necessary?
03:20 Supporting Key Elements of a High-Performing Team
05:40 Not All Meetings Are Made Equal
07:08 Tips for Effective Meeting Planning
11:21 The P-O-P Method for Meeting Preparation
15:04 Focusing on Purpose, Outcomes, and Participation in Regular Team Meetings
LINKS:
Explore working with Paula: Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.
Client Lesson Summary
In this episode, Paula dives into the essential steps for business owners to take a well-deserved holiday without the stress of constantly checking in.
Paula shares practical advice on how to set up your team for success and ensure you can genuinely relax while away.
You’ll learn how to strategically plan your time off with four key questions that will guide you in preparing your business and yourself for a smooth and worry-free holiday.
Client Lesson Summary
Key Takeaways:
- Determine the Type of Holiday: Consider the level of engagement you want during your holiday. Do you want to be completely disconnected, semi-available, or okay with working a few hours daily?
- Inform Your Team: Based on the type of holiday, identify what your team needs to know to operate effectively in your absence.
- Set Notification Guidelines: Establish what information or incidents you need to be informed about while you're away.
- Choose Communication Methods: Decide how you want to be contacted in case of important updates or emergencies.
Explore working with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today’s guest with Paula Maidens is Dr. Hayley Kelly, a clinical psychologist and business coach, shares her journey of overcoming stress and burnout and offers insights on managing stress as an entrepreneur.
Hayley explains the concept of allostatic load, which is the toll that stress takes on us, and emphasises the importance of understanding our individual stress responses and finding sustainable self-care practices.
Throughout this conversation both Paula and Hayley share candidly their personal experience with stress, overwork and burnout in their businesses and lives and what they do on a day to day basis to support their natural tendencies and to juggle their busy lives as mothers, wifes and passionate entrepreneurs.
Hayley talks about how entrepreneurs can align their actions in their business with their values and the importance of prioritising well-being both from her personal and clinical experience.
She highlights the significance of un-committing to things that no longer serve us and taking care of our physical and mental health and shares practical suggestions that every entrepreneur can consider and apply to their business and lives.
Highlights
- Understand your individual stress response and be aware of your allostatic load.
- Find sustainable self-care practices that align with your values and prioritise your well-being.
- Uncommit to things that no longer serve you and make choices that support your desired lifestyle.
- Take care of your physical and mental health as an essential part of achieving your goals.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:52 Understanding Stress and Burnout
06:12 Allostatic Load and Individual Stress Responses
11:58 Normalising Stress and Making Choices
24:52 Building Sustainable Self-Care Habits
32:02 Mindfulness and Gratitude in Everyday Moments
34:49 Aligning Actions with Values and Lifestyle
37:52 Conclusion and Connecting with Dr. Hayley Kelly
LINKS:
Connect with Hayley:
Free Guide:The Ultimate Guide Step-by-Step Guide for Therapists to Create & Sell a Successful Online Program: https://therapistsrising.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.hayleykelly
Website:https://therapistsrising.com
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Explore working with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.
Client Lesson Summary
In this client lesson, Paula talks about delegating leadership and how it is important as your business grows, and requires clear communication and specific expectations. When empowering someone else to lead, it's crucial to ensure they operate in the same way and have the necessary skills. Without proper development and guidance, performance can suffer.
As your team grows, it's important to think about how the new leaders will manage and set expectations. Assumptions should be avoided, and specific conversations about management style and feedback should take place. Coaching and external support may be necessary to develop new leaders.
Key Takeaways
- Delegating leadership is essential as your business grows and you can't lead all the people yourself.
- Clear communication and specific expectations are crucial for effective delegation.
- When empowering someone else to lead, ensure they operate in the same way and have the necessary skills.
- Performance can suffer if new leaders are not properly developed and guided.
- Think about how new leaders will manage and set expectations, and have specific conversations about management style and feedback.
- Coaching and external support may be necessary to develop new leaders.
Explore working with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens explores the impact of effective team management on brand experience through real-life observations of two very different renovation teams on her street.
This episode could also be called “Lessons in Team Management from the Tradies on My Street!”
You’ll hear Paula’s key insights on how she can see from the outside the systemisation, standardisation and team efficiency in two businesses she’s been watching… and how the behind of the scenes of a business may not be as hidden as you think… and in fact, it can significantly influence your clients' perceptions and ultimately, your business success.
Highlights
- Paula opens the episode by discussing the often-overlooked impact of disorganised and systemised teams on clients and potential clients.
- The importance of team efficiency and how it shapes the overall brand experience.
- Paula describes her neighbourhood in North Brisbane, where multiple renovation projects have been ongoing.
- She introduces two distinct teams: Team One (builders renovating a house) and Team Two (house removal specialists) and shares her observations of them both and the impression that it’s left on her as an external observing party.
Key Lessons
- Visibility of Inefficiency - Outsiders can easily detect if a team is disorganised and inefficient.
- Impact of Standardisation - Consistent processes lead to better efficiency and improved brand perception. Standardisation helps to manage team behaviour.
- Systemisation Benefits - Internal systemisation will help you get a higher return on investment (in your team) and the external benefits will include positive client interactions and brand consistency.
Chapters00:00 The Impact of Team Effectiveness on Brand Perception
05:38 Lessons from Two Different Teams on the Speaker's Street
07:20 The Importance of Clear Instructions and Expectations
14:24 Systemisation and Standardization for Efficiency and Brand Consistency
Explore working with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.
Client Lesson Summary
In this client lesson, Paula shares an inspiring lesson from one of her recent private clients who has come to the end of her first round of private coaching working with Paula. She reflects on the progress of the client who, after three months of targeted coaching, transformed her perspective and management of her business.
Paula talks about the common challenges, feelings and struggles that entrepreneurs feel as the sole owner in their businesses and shares the steps that led her client to feel re-energised and optimistic about the future.
Key Takeaways:
- The Client's Initial Struggles - reflections from her first call and the feelings of chaos, vulnerability and questioning if her situation was normal.
- How they Formulated a Plan - to address the issues and improve the client's business experience
- The difference just three Months Later - how the client feels rejuvenated and sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
- Key Changes Implemented including Team Structure, identifying 3 key hires, conversations and how performance was immediately improved
- Mindset Shifts: What was needed
This lesson will help you hear that regardless of how heavy and chaotic your current situation may feel, that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Small, impactful changes can get you significant transformations in a short period of time
Explore working with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula reflects on the past 12 months in her business and shares her end-of-financial year review. She discusses the decline in revenue but emphasises that she paid herself more in wages compared to the previous year, which is more important to her.
Paula highlights her business value of chasing profit rather than just revenue and the details of how she conducted a cost review to cut unnecessary expenses in her business. She also talks about the changes in her team, her work-life balance, and her plans for the future.
Highlights
- Focus on profit rather than just revenue to ensure a sustainable business.
- Conduct a cost review to identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses.
- Regularly assess your team and make necessary changes to improve efficiency.
- Strive for a healthy work-life balance and make adjustments as needed.
- Plan for future growth and explore new opportunities for learning and development.
Chapters
00:00 Reflecting on the Past Year: Revenue vs. Profit
02:21 Cutting Costs and Increasing Wages: A Win-Win
09:23 Adapting to Team Changes and Streamlining Processes
16:00 Balancing Work and Life: A Work in Progress
20:02 Looking Ahead: Plans for Growth and Learning
Explore working with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.
Client Lesson Summary
In this conversation, Paula discusses the common feeling of “being mean” or “awkward” during the hiring process when including a test and offers the reframe that the idea of testing candidates can be kind and mutually beneficial practice.
She shares personal experiences and examples to highlight the benefits of testing and the significant mutual value it brings to both the employer and the candidate.
Key Takeaways
- Testing candidates is a common, fair and kind practice that provides them with an opportunity to showcase their skills and experience the role.
- The testing process benefits both the employer and the candidate by ensuring a mutual fit and long-term success in the role.
- Incorporating testing into the interview structure is essential for hiring the right person and creating a mutually beneficial hiring process.
Key ideas
- Getting somebody to do a test is actually the kindest, the fairest, the best possible thing that you can do for them.
- Think of testing as a mutually beneficial activity that you incorporate into your interview structure.
Connect with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula shares her experience of hiring a Filipino virtual assistant, providing an in-depth look at the hiring process and valuable insights for businesses considering hiring virtual assistants from the Philippines.
She breaks down the step-by-step process, highlighting the importance of clarity, research, and trial periods in ensuring successful offshore hiring.
Highlights
- Cost Efficiency and Business Optimisation:
- Offshore hiring of Filipino virtual assistants can lead to significant cost reductions and enhanced business efficiency.
- Clarity in Job Requirements:
- Clearly outlining job requirements is crucial for successful hiring in the Philippines.
- Thorough Research and Comparison:
- Conducting detailed research and comparing potential candidates are essential for making confident hiring decisions.
- Value of Trial Periods:
- Implementing trial periods helps assess communication, skills, and work quality before committing long-term.
- Paula’s Comprehensive Hiring Checklist:
- Paula's checklist offers a detailed guide for businesses considering hiring Filipino virtual assistants.
Key Ideas
- Significant cost reduction potential - Hiring virtual assistants from the Philippines can greatly reduce business costs.
- Paid Trials for Assessment: Using paid trials as the final part of the hiring assessment ensures the right fit.
Chapters
00:00 The Offshore Hiring Experience: Insights from Paula Maidens
08:01 Clarity and Research: Key Elements of Offshore Hiring
13:00 The Trial Period: Assessing Offshore Candidates
LINKS:
Download my Hiring Checklist - outlining the steps you should go through to make sure you are ready to hire at paulamaidens.com/hiring-checklist.
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.
Client Lesson Summary
This lesson dives into the importance of creating an effective application screening process to quickly identify suitable candidates for a role. Emphasising the need to avoid getting distracted by a candidate's potential and to focus on the must-have criteria.
Key Takeaways
- Create an application process that allows for quick screening of candidates.
- Avoid getting distracted by a candidate's potential and focus on your must-have criteria.
- Why you need to make sure your screening process is both strategic and efficient.
- How clear application questions and steps will support you to identify suitable candidates.
Key ideas
- Don't let yourself get distracted with somebody's potential.
- Whittle those applications right down to your top 10 really quickly.
- When screening ask yourself - Did they follow the process that we asked them to follow?
Connect with Paula:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens dives into a common challenge many business owners face: struggling to find the right candidates for their job openings.
Paula reveals that the issue often lies not with the availability of talent but with the way job advertisements are written.
She shares valuable insights on how to craft compelling job ads that effectively communicate the role, reflect business values, and attract the right candidates.
Highlights
- Why the problem with hiring is often related to the job advertisement and not the availability of candidates.
- Clarity in defining the role and the business's values is crucial for attracting the right candidates.
- Why specificity and personality in job ads matter.
- How to identify and communicate your business values in your job ads and why this is an essential part of the hiring process.
- Strategies to attract candidates who are the perfect fit for your team.
Key Discussion Points:
- Understanding the Problem:
- Why your job ads might be turning off potential candidates.
- The importance of clarity in defining the role and expectations.
- Crafting Effective Job Ads:
- Tips for writing job advertisements that stand out.
- How to infuse your job ads with your company’s personality and values.
- Targeting the Right Audience:
- Where to post your job ads to reach your ideal candidates.
- The role of communication in attracting the right applicants.
- Next Steps After Posting:
- Effective interview techniques to narrow down the candidate pool.
- Onboarding tips to ensure a smooth transition for new hires.
Chapters
00:00 The Impact of Job Advertisements on Hiring Challenges
03:17 Defining the Role and Business Values for Candidate Attraction
05:09 Crafting a Unique Hiring Strategy and Job Advertisement
LINKS:
Book a 90 Minute Rockstar Team Clarity Session
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
*Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.
These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key lesson, learning or tip in a way that is quick and easy for you to digest.*
Client Lesson Summary
Entrepreneurs and business owners of all sizes often struggle with delegating tasks, especially when it comes to delegating the management of their emails.
Today’s lesson dives into how you can keep this simple by identifying repetitive tasks and creating clear rules, delegation can become easier and more efficient.
This approach will free up significant time for entrepreneurs and allow them to focus on more important aspects of their business.
Key Takeaways
- Identifying repetitive tasks and creating clear rules makes delegation easier and more efficient.
- Delegating small tasks can free up significant time for entrepreneurs.
- Entrepreneurs can use screen recording software to capture repetitive tasks and create clear rules for delegation.
Key Ideas
- Delegating more things without incurring a bucket load of work.
- Imagine when you can find say five or six of these 10 minute activities that you can hand over to somebody to do every single day.
Connect with Paula
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, Paula Maidens delves into the essential strategies for achieving hiring success as a small business owner in 2024.
With over 17 years of HR and recruitment experience, Paula shares invaluable insights into how to confidently hire employees, ensuring your team performs at its best.
Whether you're looking to hire your first team member or improve your hiring process, this episode is packed with actionable tips tailored for small business owners.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the Changing Business Environment: Why hiring and team performance are more critical than ever for small business owners in 2024.
- The Importance of Confidence in Hiring: How having a quiet confidence in your hiring process can transform your business operations.
- Steps to a Successful Hire: Paula outlines six strategic steps to make hiring feel easier and more efficient.
Highlights
Introduction (00:03)
- Topics Covered:
- Challenges of hiring for small businesses
- The Changing Business Environment in 2024
- Importance of hiring and performance in 2024
Key Points on Hiring (2:21)
- Discussion on:
- The significance of knowing how to hire with confidence
- Transitioning from corporate hiring to small business hiring
- The impact of hiring on business sustainability and performance
Six Strategic Steps to Hiring Success (09:13)
- Detailed Steps:
- Define Success: Clarify what you want your new hire to achieve in their role.
- Identify Deal-Breakers: Know what you don’t want in a candidate.
- Craft Unique Job Advertisements: Stand out by accurately portraying your business culture and needs.
- Include Application Tasks: Use specific questions or tasks to screen applicants effectively.
- Gather Market Information: Use the hiring process to learn about industry standards and expectations.
- Conduct Effective Interviews: Follow a structured approach to ensure you gather all necessary information.
The Hiring Mastery Method (18:49)
- Overview:
- Importance of a structured interview process
- How to feel confident and prepared during hiring
- Upcoming opportunities to learn Paula’s Hiring Mastery Method through a new self-study course
Ready to learn more? Join the Hiring Mastery Waitlist:
https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery
Connect with Paula
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
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In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams®, I am joined by Aubrey Nation, a Registered Nurse, Yoga and Meditation Teacher and Wellness Expert who specialises in Functional Genetic Testing. Aubrey shares her insights on personalised health, functional genetic testing and what the impact of stress can be on our health as entrepreneurs.
We discuss the different types of stress, the role of genes in stress response, and share some practical tips for managing stress. We also explore the importance of optimising circadian rhythm, staying hydrated, and balancing blood sugar levels.
Highlights
- How functional genetic testing can provide insights into your genetic makeup and help tailor nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle strategies to optimise your health and enhance your business performance.
- How stress can impact you in various ways, including digestion, metabolism, nervous system, immune system, and the reproductive system.
- How stress can influence your business performance and decision-making abilities.
- Why optimising circadian rhythm, staying hydrated, and balancing blood sugar levels are key factors in managing stress and improving overall health as an entrepreneur.
- How understanding one's genetic predispositions can empower you to make informed choices and take proactive steps to support your well-being.
- How Aubrey’s program Body Blueprint can offer you personalised wellness plans based on genetic testing results to support your overall health and business performance.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Aubrey Nation and Functional Genetic Testing
06:06 Understanding the Impact of Stress
13:18 Different Types of Stress
24:15 Key Tips for Entrepreneurs
28:40 The Power of Personalized Health
Connect with Aubrey Nation:
Learn more about Body Blueprint: https://www.aubreynation.com/bodyblueprint/
Website:www.aubreynation.com
Instagram:@aubreynation
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I discuss the relationship between a high performing team and culture. There are many different ways of looking at this and I explore the questions of ‘does high performance come from a good culture?’ Or, ‘does culture drive high performance?’
I explore how they are interdependent, with each influencing and reinforcing the other. I talk about why it is important to look at both because an awesome culture does not form itself, it is formed by you as the leader and the rest of your team.
I share some real-life examples and questions to support you in assessing your team’s performance and the culture in your business so that you can make the changes you need to have a thriving team, that you want and deserve.
Highlights
- What the relationship is between high performance and culture.
- How high performance and culture influence and reinforce each other.
- How a strong culture shapes attitudes and behaviours, laying the foundation for high performance.
- How high performance drives a positive culture by encouraging communication, collaboration and innovation.
- To create a thriving team, it is important to focus on both culture and high performance.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Relationship Between High Performance and Culture
05:20 Chapter 2: How High Performance Drives a Positive Culture
11:48 Conclusion: The Interdependence of High Performance and Culture
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I discuss the importance of fostering an environment in your business where team members feel empowered to take initiative and make decisions, particularly in busy or peak times.
I talk about why giving permission and creating psychological safety for team members is important for your business, and how it allows them to make executive decisions and show initiative. I talk about the significance of team members feeling comfortable to make decisions and discuss the concept that mistakes are inevitable, and valuable for your business growth.
I share some personal examples where my team members' proactive decisions have been both successful and unsuccessful, and talk about how to support your team members through the learning process. I highlight the importance of clarifying roles, decision-making processes, and boundaries to minimise errors and maximise your team’s performance.
Highlights
- How to foster an environment where team members feel empowered to take initiative and make decisions.
- Why giving permission and creating psychological safety for team members is important for your business.
- How to create an environment where team members feel comfortable to make decisions.
- Why mistakes are inevitable, but are valuable for your business growth.
- How to clarify decision-making scope and set limits and boundaries.
- Examples where team members' proactive decisions have been both successful and unsuccessful.
- How to invest in improving your team’s performance and your leadership effectiveness.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
07:43 Creating Psychological Safety
13:24 Learning from Mistakes
26:48 Introducing Elevate: Investing in Team Performance
LINKS:
Learn more about Elevate Group Mentoring here.
Apply for Elevate Group Mentoring here.
Book a call to chat about Elevate Group Mentoring here.
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today, I discuss the four characteristics of an effective team and how to identify whether your team is operating efficiently (or not!). I share the reasons why having regular conversations with your team about expectations and decision-making is important if you want your team to operate effectively and in a spacious way.
I talk about how to understand the timings and spaciousness of your team, and how to identify if what you are experiencing right now in your business and with your team is related to capacity, planning, or skill-related issues.
Working on your team and making them more efficient, more effective, and more cohesive will only make things better for you and your business in the long run, and will help you to scale with ease.
Highlights
- Learn the four characteristics of an effective team.
- Learn how to identify whether your team is operating efficiently (or not!)
- Why teams with real responsibilities take ownership of their tasks, think about the bigger picture, and problem-solve.
- What working in a spacious way really means for your business.
- How to have equal contribution within your team where everyone has an important role and is valued.
- How to have a workplace culture that fosters proactive thinking, and positive energy.
- Why working on your team and making them more efficient, more effective and more cohesive will only make things better for you and your business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Team Effectiveness
03:41 Chapter 1: Real Responsibilities
04:09 Chapter 2: Working in a Spacious Way
04:35 Chapter 3: Equal Contribution
06:02 Chapter 4: An Efficient and Upbeat Vibe
15:51 Chapter 5: Introducing Elevate
LINKS:
Elevate Group Mentoring
Learn more about Elevate Group Mentoring here
Apply for Elevate Group Mentoring here
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
In this episode, I discuss two common business challenges that have been a theme for many of my clients in the first quarter of 2024. I talk about how to manage team members you feel are performing at an average or below-average level, and how to evaluate your team costs and efficiency, particularly in the context of potential changes in revenue.
I share the reasons why it’s important for you to recognise and address team performance issues early on so that you can prevent it from negatively impacting your business, and why you should have an understanding of where your team members are spending their time. In this episode, I share lots of real-life examples to help you reflect and identify areas of your team that could be improved so that you can feel confident in having open conversations about optimising productivity and overall team performance.
Highlights
- Why addressing average or below-average team members is crucial to maintaining a high-performing team.
- Why understanding where team members spend their time helps to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
- How to regularly evaluate team costs and efficiencies, especially when facing potential changes in revenue.
- How to have open and supportive conversations with team members to increase productivity, and overall team performance.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I talk about how to determine appropriate pay structures for your team members, and how it can impact your team dynamics and business outcomes. I explore some of the intricacies of underpaying and overpaying for a role, and explain why it is important to align pay rates with market research, financial feasibility, and the role's inherent value within your business.
From assessing hiring challenges to considering future potential and seeking objective advice, I share how to navigate pay decisions in your business, and how to apply a balanced approach that will help to foster growth, profitability, and employee satisfaction in your business.
Highlights
- The 4 main areas to consider when choosing a salary for a role in your business.
- How paying team members appropriately can positively impact team dynamics and your business performance.
- Why market research is crucial to understanding current pay rates for similar roles.
- When to seek objective advice to refine pay decisions.
- Why it's important to identify rare or specialised skill sets in the market.
- Why business profitability and cash flow are a big part of this equation.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Getting Pay Right
01:25 Pay Does Not Equal Happiness or Productivity
06:40 Consider Finances and Profitability
09:01 The Hiring Wobbles: Importance of Knowing Your Numbers
12:30 Profitable Growth and Hiring Order
15:49 Additional Factors to Consider: Difficulty of Hiring and Value of the Role
23:51 The Role of Intuition and Feeling
26:45 Conclusion and Invitation for Further Assistance
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I discuss what decision-making authority is in your business and why it is important. I share how to hand over more of your decision-making power to build trust and confidence with your team.
I explore the reasons why clear decision-making power is essential to ensure the smooth operations and growth of your business. I share some real life examples of decision-making authority and also highlight some of the frustrations that can arise when there is a lack of decision-making clarity.
I hope this episode encourages you to define your own decision-making authority for each team member, and empowers you to reflect upon some of the small decisions you can hand over to your team sooner rather than later.
Highlights
- Why clear decision-making authority is essential for the successful operations and growth of your business.
- How a lack of clarity in decision-making power can lead to frustration.
- How to explicitly define decision-making authority for each team member to empower them and avoid unnecessary checks and delays.
- How to start with small decisions and gradually hand over more decision-making power to build trust and confidence with your team.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection
02:20 The Importance of Decision-Making Authority
08:02 Examples of Decision-Making Authority
13:22 Handing Over Decision-Making Power
22:44 Deciding Decision-Making Authority Early
24:41 Flexing the Decision-Making Authority Muscle
25:11 Conclusion
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams®, I am joined by Mel Daniels, a Content Marketing Strategist, speaker, podcast host and author. Mel shares her insights on how to create powerful content, the importance of authenticity, and when and how to delegate content creation within your team.
Mel shares the four P’s of content creation, and why they are important. Mel and I talk about how to start with core content, such as blogs, podcasts, or videos, and then repurpose it for other areas such as social media. We discuss the importance of being authentic and how we should always focus on our strengths when it comes to crafting content, rather than following someone else’s content formula.
We explore the timing and methods for delegating content creation tasks within your team, emphasising the importance of recognising a team members' strengths and setting realistic expectations.
Highlights
- How to focus on your strengths as a leader and bring your unique perspective to your content.
- The 4 P’s of content creation.
- How to start with core content, such as blogs, podcasts, or videos, and then repurpose it.
- How to be authentic and true to yourself in your content creation, rather than following someone else's formula.
- When and how to delegate content creation within your team.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
06:04 Understanding Powerful Content
12:11 Consistency and Authenticity
30:35 Top Three Tips
33:23 Conclusion and Contact Information
Connect with Mel Daniels:
Unlock your Content Creator Archetype
Instagram: www.instagram.com/meldbusiness
Facebook: www.facebook.com/meldbusiness
Facebook Group: The Content Project
Website: www.meldbusinessservices.com.au
Membership: www.thecontenteffect.com.au/thecontenteffect Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams®, I delve into the importance of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in your business, and with your team. Boundaries are a positive tool for creating a thriving work environment, and they will support your business for further growth and success.
I talk about how clear boundaries are guiding principles that help to define responsibilities and expectations. I explore how clear boundaries can help you to reduce things such as stress and decision fatigue. I share practical strategies for establishing and upholding boundaries in various work-related scenarios, even when you may find it challenging to uphold them.
Highlights
* How modeling healthy boundary-setting behavior is a trait of a good leader.
* How to set boundaries to ensure fairness and reasonableness.
* How setting and maintaining boundaries requires aspects of clarifying expectations, and discussing and checking for mutual agreement.
* How clear boundaries can help to reduce things such as stress and decision fatigue.
* How communication boundaries are crucial to maintaining healthy relationships with team members and clients.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Boundaries
03:19 The Benefits of Clear Boundaries
07:28 The Importance of Communication Boundaries
14:57 Setting Boundaries in Different Business Scenarios
26:11 Challenges of Holding Boundaries
31:09 Understanding and Empathy in Setting Boundaries
33:18 Summary and Conclusion
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I discuss the importance of having performance enhancing conversations with your team. These conversations are necessary to have regularly when you want to improve the performance of team members who are already ‘doing okay’ but you know could be doing better.
I talk about how performance enhancing conversations should be two-sided conversations with the aim of supporting the individual to improve and excel in their role. I share the importance of mindset, intention, and language in these types of conversations, as well as, the need for preparation and practice.
Highlights
- Performance enhancing conversations are necessary to improve the performance of team members who are already ‘doing okay’ but could be doing better.
- These conversations should be two-sided and aimed at supporting individuals to improve.
- Mindset, intention, and language play a crucial role in the success of performance enhancing conversations.
- Preparation, including gathering specific examples and anticipating reactions, is key to having effective conversations.
- Closing the conversation with gratitude and appreciation can strengthen the relationship and motivate the individual to improve.
- Performance enhancing conversations have the power to energise, inspire, and improve relationships within the team.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Performance Enhancing Conversations
03:19 Mindset, Intention, and Language
09:18 Preparing for the Conversation
21:31 Closing the Conversation
23:49 Conclusion: Power of Performance Enhancing Conversations
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams®, Paula is joined by Shana Lynn, a trusted advisor for top-tier subscription companies looking to amp up their customer retention. Today, Shana talks about being an online community strategist, and shares her expertise on hiring and managing community managers.
We discuss the benefits of having someone else manage your online community, as they can focus on nurturing the community while you focus on revenue generation and growing your business further. Shana highlights the importance of establishing a framework for community management and we talk about how to set clear expectations and boundaries for this role from the beginning.
Shana shares her insights on best practices for hiring a community manager, including the qualities and experience to look for. We address common concerns about trust, and offer some valuable advice on how you can empower a community manager to succeed in your business.
Highlights
- How hiring a community manager allows you to focus on revenue generation while they nurture your community.
- How to establish a framework for community management.
- The qualities to look for when hiring a community manager.
- How to build trust and address concerns quickly.
- How to empower your community manager and give them ownership of role outcomes.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:30 The Benefits of Hiring a Community Manager
04:29 Establishing a Framework for Community Management
06:06 Best Practices for Hiring a Community Manager
08:28 Addressing Concerns and Building Trust
13:26 Setting Clear Expectations and Boundaries
14:40 Screening for Trustworthy Candidates
17:47 Managing the Community Manager
23:40 Empowering the Community Manager
28:22 Final Tips and Advice
29:44 Resources and Training Programs
Connect with Shana:
Podcast: communitycreatorspodcast.com
Website: shanalynn.com
Instagram: instagram.com/shanaspeaks
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shanabresnahan
FB: Facebook.com/shanaspeaks
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode the host, Paula Maidens discusses the importance of mastering delegation to overcome the cycle of overwork.
She shares seven steps to effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities in a business and offers ways that you can delegate effectively, free up their time, reduce stress, and create a business that can thrive beyond their personal involvement.
Highlights
- Why mastering delegation is crucial for entrepreneurs to overcome the cycle of overwork and reclaim their time.
- That the first step to effective delegation starts with YOU
- What a team needs to truly step up to hold accountability for their roles
- What is an accountability system and accountability loop and why they are essential to mastering delegation
- Why striving for perfection may be sabotaging your team.
- Why trust is so hard for many entrepreneurs
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Cycle of Overwork
02:21 Step 1: Identify Your Zone of Genius
04:39 Step 2: Determine Skills and Experience Needed
06:27 Step 3: Set Clear Expectations
07:22 Step 4: Establish an Accountability System
10:36 Step 5: Trust Your Team
12:26 Step 6: Letting Go
14:18 Step 7: Continuous Improvement
16:51 Conclusion: The Importance of Delegation
Links
Fundamentals of Leadership Self Study Course
https://paula-maidens.mykajabi.com/fundamentals-of-leadership
Discount code PODCAST to get $50 off
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this conversation, Paula talks to offshoring expert Tiffany English about all things offshoring and in particular, how to make a success of hiring a Filipino VA.
Tiffany starts with sharing the difference between offshoring versus outsourcing and the various skills and roles that Filipino offshore resources can excel in including how much this has evolved over the last 10-15 years.
Tiffany provides insights into managing offshore teams, including the importance of clear expectations and regular communication, shares the average costs of hiring offshore resources and the various options and benefits of working with an offshore provider.
She also shares wisdom about the cultural differences and what’s required to build an offshore team that is going to both integrate and succeed for the long term in your business.
Highlights:
- Offshoring versus outsourcing - the differences and what works best for each
- How Filipino offshore resources have evolved beyond traditional admin roles and what roles and skills they can excel in
- The key elements for managing offshore teams to make them a long term success
- Considerations before you embark on offshoring
- Choosing the right provider and what options are available to you
- Typical costs of hiring a full time offshore resource, compliance requirements and benefits
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:11 Understanding Offshoring and Outsourcing
03:39 Full-Time vs. Part-Time Offshore Employees
04:32 Roles and Skills of Offshore Filipino Resources
06:32 Evolution of Offshore Roles
08:38 Managing Offshore Teams
10:33 Considerations for Offshoring
12:00 Cost of Hiring Offshore Resources
13:20 Pros and Cons of Offshoring
16:38 Working with Offshore Providers
18:14 Additional Benefits of Offshoring
21:37 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Connect with Tiffany:
Website: www.accessoffshoring.com.au
Email: tiffany@accessoffshoring.com.au
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/tiffanyenglish26/
Book a time to speak to Tiff: https://calendly.com/accessoffshoring/offshoreplan
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Chat to Paula about working together via a Dream Team Discovery Call
In this episode Paula dives into the common question of “When it is the right time to let someone go” along with all those other common questions about firing including "How much time is reasonable" "How do you know enough is enough" etc etc!
This episode covers all the important considerations you need to take into account including the importance of being clear about expectations and responsibilities and giving someone the opportunity to change and improve before making this big decision.
Highlights:
- The importance of clarity regardless of whether the person is an employee or subcontractor.
- Sharing your expectations clearly, even if it seems too detailed. Disappointment often stems from unmet expectations.
- Why being clear is being fair and allows the team member the change to improve
- Why addressing performance issues early and NOT panicking is key to successful leadership
Want to chat to Paula to explore working together?
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
How to BE yourself at work with Cassandra Goodman
Welcome to another podcast episode with Paula Maidens. In this episode, Paula interviews Cassandra Goodman, a seasoned leader with over two decades of global executive experience. Cassandra, the author of "Being True: How to Be Yourself at Work," shares insights on authentic leadership and the importance of activating your true brilliance in the business world.
Cassandra shares that true success involves not only loving what you do but also loving who you are while doing it. She reflects on her own journey and how it took years to realise the significance of being authentic at work. The conversation covers the challenges all leaders face in balancing authenticity with societal expectations, especially as they climb the corporate ladder.
Highlights of this episode:
- Challenges of being authentic when societal conditioning encourages more masculine traits and pressure to conform.
- The concept of "imposter syndrome" and how to embrace it as a leader and care for the parts of yourself that feel inadequate.
- The difficulty of sustaining the coal-fired fuel equivalent energy in leadership versus anchoring into one's personal true essence for sustainable and authentic leadership.
- Practical tips for leaders, encouraging them to tune into their inner dialogue, recognise different parts of themselves, and develop a deeper level of self-awareness.
- Being true to oneself in various contexts, whether in a corporate role or as an entrepreneur and the importance of skillful authenticity and self-awareness.
This episode of Paula Maidens with Cassandra Goodman provides valuable insights into authentic leadership, exploring the challenges leaders face and offering practical tips to activate true brilliance in any business context. Cassandra's expertise and wisdom shineS through as she encourages leaders to embark on the journey of self-awareness and self-leadership with practical tips and personal insights.
Connect with Cassandra:
Learn more about the work Cassandra does on her website
Join Cassandra’s 13,000+ followers on LinkedIn
Follow Cassandra on Instagram
Subscribe to her Hello Monday Morningnewsletter
Buy her books Being True and Self-Fidelity
Listen to her audiobook Being True
Listen to her podcast True Power
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Chat to Paula about working together via a Dream Team Discovery Call
5 Interview Questions you Must ASK In 2024
Welcome to another podcast episode with Paula Maidens. The host, Paula Maidens discusses the importance of strategic hiring in the new year and shares five strategic interview questions to ensure you make the right choices for your team.
Highlights of this episode:
- The threefold purpose of an interview and why this needs to be kept front of mind when structuring and executing your interview
- Why strategic interview questions are needed to gain valuable insights you don’t want to miss
- The importance of starting with an easy, familiar question to help both parties ease into the conversation.
- Understanding the candidate's grasp of the role and their research into the company and why this is a valuable insight you don’t want to miss.
- How certain questions will allow for a deeper understanding of the candidate's time management approach, preferences, and compatibility with the role.
- How to understand a candidate's expectations from a managerial perspective and why you don’t want to miss this at the interview.
In this episode, Paula encourages essential business owners, CEOs and key decision makers to focus on the quality of interview questions for successful hires, invites listeners to share and highlight hiring goals for 2024, and promises to return with a new episode next week.
LINKS:
Grab my top 12 Essential Interview Questions to help you interview effectively to make sure you are always making confident hiring decisions!
Want to chat to Paula to explore working together?
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Profit Profit Profit : How to get more of it in 2024
Welcome to 2024 with our first Big Dreams Great Team® podcast episode for the new year!
In this episode, Paula is joined by her guest, Laura O’Hagan, a profit and growth consultant who helps business owners pay themselves more. Laura specialises in the health, beauty, and professional services industries.
The focus of this episode is all about: Profit. Answering questions such as why profit is often overlooked in favour of sales or revenue. Laura and Paula discuss reasons behind the lack of emphasis on profit in business conversations and why it is critical to both growth and sustainability.
Dive in to this episode to hear:
- Misconceptions that revenue equals success and how this overshadows the importance of profitability.
- Strategies to improve business profitability by optimising finances and expenses.
- The significance of examining the formula of revenue minus profit minus owner's compensation to identify expenses and optimise spending.
- The importance of examining expenses, reevaluating service offerings, and considering pricing structures to ensure profitability.
- How to assessing expenses categorically, separating profit-generating costs, necessary expenses, and potential wasteful spending. Reviewing expenses regularly helps eliminate duplications and unnecessary costs.
- Practical advice and tools to help business owners better understand their financial landscape and make informed decisions.
Paula and Laura highlight the importance of these strategies in driving businesses towards enhanced profitability for this year and future years. They also discuss empowering business owners to reconsider their compensation models for sustainable growth.
Tune in and enjoy the new learnings this new year!
LAURA’S LINKS:
LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in/laura-o-hagan-a55ba23
INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/laurajohagan/
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/LauraOHaganCoach
Website: https://laurajohagan.com/
Download Laura’s Profit Benchmarks https://laurajohagan.com/benchmarks/
PAULA LINKS:
Chat to Paula about working together via a Dream Team Discovery Call
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Part 3- Hire Smarter Summer Series - Profitable Onboarding
Welcome to the final episode of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series with Paula Maidens. The host, Paula has shared invaluable insights in this three-part series to help you make confident and informed hiring decisions.
In part one, Paula covered the common mistakes to avoid when hiring and in part two, Paula emphasised the significance of getting clear on the qualities and behaviors you desire in a candidate.
In this episode called "Profitable Onboarding," Paula explores the often overlooked aspect of onboarding as a strategic investment rather than just an expense. She delves into the importance of viewing new hires as contributors to scaling your service-based business profitably.
Highlights of this episode:
- The shift from viewing hiring as an expense to understanding it as a strategic investment in scaling your business.
- Strategies to ensure a quick return on your hiring investment by setting clear expectations from day one.
- Exploring key elements—training, information, expectations, and corrective conversations—for a profitable onboarding process.
- The significance of setting specific expectations to guide new hires effectively during their initial month and how this impacts how fast they get up to speed.
- Embracing transparent discussions to guide new hires back on track, ensuring continuous improvement.
- Paula also shares a glimpse of the 2024 Hiring Mastery Bootcamp, which offers a comprehensive guide for successful hiring and your opportunity to get access to exclusive waitlist perks.
This episode emphasises the significance of establishing the right expectations, providing comprehensive training, and maintaining open dialogue and by doing so, your business can set new hires up for success from day one.
This entire Hire Smarter Mini Series has focused on empowering you, as the CEO of your business to hire strategically, emphasising the importance of clarity, preparation, and structured onboarding for successful and effective team integration.
LINKS:
Join the Hiring Mastery Bootcamp for exclusive waitlist bonuses here.
Want to chat to Paula to explore working together?
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Episode 108 - How to Decide Your Top 5 Qualities To Only Hire Rockstars
In Part 2 of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series, the host Paula Maidens, focuses on achieving clarity before embarking on the hiring process and the significance of understanding five key aspects before getting started on your hiring process.
Paula highlights the tendency to overlook these crucial clarity aspects during what’s often a busy and stressful hiring process, however mapping out these details increases the likelihood of hiring the right candidate while reducing the chances of making a hiring mistake.
Paula’s focus in this episode revolves around the critical yet often overlooked aspect of hiring—hiring for the specific characteristics or behaviours that a candidate brings to your workplace. These elements are often overshadowed by an emphasis on skills and experience which can lead to hiring someone who doesn’t feel like they are a fit for your team.
Highlights of this episode:
- 5 critical aspects that need clarity for successful hiring.
- How clarity maximises your chances of hiring the right candidate while minimising the risk of hiring the wrong one.
- Common misconceptions and pitfalls that are typically associated with the hiring process.
- Why getting a comprehensive understanding of an individual's work style beyond their resume is essential to their success
- Aligning the working methods of the new team member with the preferences and comfort of the CEO or leader in a business as well as the team as a whole.
- The significance of communication methods and how different individuals prefer various modes of communication.
This episode focuses on the importance of you as the CEO,understanding your own needs, preferences, and work style, and how to translate these into specific hiring criteria and expectations for potential hires to ensure a better fit within your business. Paula also touches upon the diversity of preferences regarding communication methods and tools, highlighting that what works for one person or business might not suit another.
Part 3 of the Hire Smarter Mini Series will be released next week with a topic of Profitable Onboarding
LINKS:
Download the Top 15 Hiring Qualities for Service-Based Businesses Guide here that was discussed in this podcast episode
Want to chat to Paula to explore working together?
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Episode 107 - The Reasons Most People Hire Wrong (and How to Avoid That For Good)
In this first episode of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series, hosted by Paula Maidens, the focus is on equipping CEOs with the knowledge and strategies needed to make great hiring decisions, ultimately leading to profitable scaling for service-based businesses.
Paula dives into the reasons most people hire wrong (and how to avoid that for good) and shares the inherent challenges of the hiring process, its potential for stress and overwhelm, especially when you as the CEO are already juggling multiple responsibilities.
The episode begins by addressing the common but not often talked about mistake of having an external focus when hiring, and explains how to shift your perspective to consider who you need to BE to attract the right person. The importance of adopting a solid, objective hiring process is highlighted, emphasizing your role as CEO to setting up scaffolding as your foundation for success.
Paula discusses avoiding emotional hiring decisions, which often lead to suboptimal choices including such as hiring friends or making decisions based on initial impressions. Paula shares her own personal experiences to underscore the significance of learning from (or better still avoiding!) emotional hiring mistakes.
The episode concludes by exploring the pitfalls of hiring from a place of uncertainty, stressing the need for absolute clarity on the type of person required and the role they'll play in the business. Paula draws parallels with intentional dating, emphasising that hiring without clarity is akin to a trial-and-error approach.
Highlights of this episode:
- Challenges of the hiring process and the need for preparation.
- Mistake 1: External focus – Shifting perspective to who you as the CEO need to be.
- Importance of a solid, objective hiring process for support and success.
- Mistake 2: Emotional hiring decisions – Avoiding choices influenced by emotions and how to make sure you stay objective.
- Learning from personal hiring mistakes and the impact on business momentum.
- Pitfalls of hiring from uncertainty and the necessity of clarity for success.
- Encouragement to believe in the possibility of finding the right hire.
- Preview of upcoming episodes on qualities to look for and onboarding strategies.
This episode of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series, Paula Maidens guides CEOs through the intricacies of avoiding the common mistakes that most people make when hiring to ensure you make effective hiring decisions so that you can profitably scale your service-based businesses. Paula addresses the challenges of hiring, emphasising the importance of preparation and the need for you as the business owner to shift into ‘CEO mode’ to focus on your powerful role in the hiring process, so that you can support yourself to success.
Part 2 of the Hire Smarter Mini Series will be released next week with a topic of How to Decide Your Top 5 Qualities To Only Hire Rockstars
LINKS:
Want to chat to Paula to explore working together?
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Episode #106 - My 3 TOP CLIENT LESSONS FROM 2023
As Paula shifts into reflection mode for 2023, she shares in this episode three common lessons that emerged across her clients throughout the year. You’ll be able to listen and reflect on your own leadership and take nuggets of wisdom for yourself into 2024.
You’ll hear about:
- The Need for Clarity
Paula shares instances where clients faced challenges due to lack of clarity. She discusses the importance of clear, detailed instructions to ensure desired outcomes and shares situations where being specific and considering potential obstacles in the process helped her clients
- The Importance of Holding High Expectations
Paula shares the significance of articulating and reinforcing high expectations and how consistent communication about expectations leads to improved outcomes and how this applies to both hiring and maintaining high performance standards.
- Slowing Down
This lesson is all about taking time to react and respond, avoiding impulsive reaction to , allow space for thoughtful consideration.
Tune in to hear these lessons, case studies from clients and encouragement to reflect on how you’ve handled various situations in 2023 and how you can improve your leadership style in 2024.
MORE INFO
Email us at paula (@) paulamaidens.com for more information about the Elevate Group Mentoring Program.
LINKS to Connect With Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
FREE Dream Team Discovery Call: https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Episode #105 - 5 Questions to Ask Each Of Your Team Before The End Of The Year
With the holiday season looming, you're probably juggling year-end tasks and eagerly awaiting that well-deserved Christmas break. But before you shift into relaxation mode, I have a fantastic opportunity for you to consider to maximise your team's potential for a strong 2024.
It's not about taking massive or exhausting steps; it's about taking small, impactful actions that can elevate your current team and set the stage for an even better year ahead.
And that is… to hold an end-of-year catch-up with your team.
This is one of the simplest yet highly effective things you can do to maximise each individual's potential to kick off 2024 in the best way possible.
In this episode, I share how to have this conversation and provide you with a series of strategic and powerful questions designed to stimulate thoughtful responses and provide insights that will help both you and your team plan for a successful 2024.
Dive in to learn:
- Learn how you can take simple, impactful actions to boost your team's potential.
- Find out the 5 questions you need to ask to positively boost your business in your team’s mind AND give you valuable insights and information to plan for a more powerful team in 2024.
- How these conversations can enhance your team's loyalty, motivation, and growth
- The importance of showing gratitude to your team
You’ll learn how to combine the two actions of – asking the questions and expressing gratitude – to create a lasting positive impression on your team as they head into their holiday break and begin their new year with reflection and goal setting.
Tune in, enjoy and set yourself up for a productive and successful 2024 for you and your team!
MORE INFO
Email us at paula (@) paulamaidens.com for more information about the Elevate Group Mentoring Program that "gently" kicks off in late November 2023
LINKS to Connect with Paula:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Book a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call HERE
In this episode of the Big Dreams Great Teams™, I am joined by Bonny Marsh, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, the co-founder of Truii, a Brisbane-based technology and consulting company that creates data-driven web applications. She is also a Speech Pathologist, Mother of four, and mentor to mothers. Bonny runs her business with a family first ethos and a commitment to clear and concise structures and processes for her employees .
This episode underscores the importance of clear communication, setting expectations, and establishing a strong foundation. Today, we discuss Bonny’s experience of running their team of 12 staff, their family friendly ethos and the various evolutions and challenges they’ve faced growing to a million plus revenue business - that is continuing to grow rapidly.
Dive in to hear about:
- The importance of specificity and structuring for Success: Ensuring your business is built on a solid foundation with well-structured processes and systems to support its growth.
- Scaling Challenges: Why what worked as a team of 3 won’t work at 10+ and why.
- Embracing Your Vision: Trust in your unique vision for your business, even if it means challenging conventional norms.
- Cultural Change and Flexibility: How they implemented a 4 day work week, with an innovative move to a hybrid work model with success.
- Love in Leadership: Bonny discusses the transformative power of love in leadership and its role in creating a thriving team and setting an example for clients.
Plus we cover why Bonny felt it was necessary to get HR/ Leadership support & what impact it had on the business and what immediate solutions the support has brought about.
Tune in and enjoy this thought-provoking episode. LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Bonny:
Instagram Handle - https://www.instagram.com/themothersway_org/
Website - https://truii.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonny-marsh-truii/
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of the Big Dreams Great Teams™, Paula shares the 7 REAL Truths that consistently emerge when she’s coaching her private clients towards growth, team efficiencies and effective leadership. These truths comprised from her 17 years of industry experience and they are jam-packed full of practical ideas and solutions for you on your leadership journey
Dive in to hear how:
- Good People Aren't Hard to Find: Discover what normally goes wrong in attracting applicants and the art of crafting job advertisements that resonate with top talent and the importance of effective communication to the ‘right’ potential team members.
- More Expensive Isn't Always Better: Explore why higher prices don't always equate to better value and how to make hiring decisions based on what truly matters.
- To Publish or Not to Publish Salaries: Delve into the debate of disclosing salary ranges in job postings and the benefits of maintaining flexibility.
- Making Effort Isn't Making It Too Hard: Understand the critical concept of upfront application questions and how they set expectations for the candidates and why it's crucial to attract individuals willing to make an effort.
- Miscommunication, Not Malice: Most performance issues are rooted in miscommunication or misunderstanding. Navigating this difference effectively means careful stepping.
- Embracing Mistakes: Mistakes are your business's way of telling you something needs to be fixed and they are opportunities for growth. We discuss how to identify the root causes of errors and leverage them to enhance your business.
- Dealing with Letdowns: We discuss the emotional rollercoaster of a team member leaving your company and how it can be a blessing in disguise and with lessons to learn from these experiences.
Plus we cover the Power of a Confidant in the context of what conversations are and aren’t appropriate to have with your team members and how an objective and experienced advisor can be a powerful scaffolding piece to support you to show up as as an effective leader.
Tune in and enjoy this thought-provoking episode!
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, we dive into the vital distinction between Expectations and Inspections. High expectations are common, but true success lies in actively Inspecting and monitoring progress, because as the saying goes “You get what you INSPECT not what you EXPECT”.
I talk about how business owners and entrepreneurs who are high performers often reach unconscious competence and in turn, when delegating tasks they often overlook the INSPECT part of setting and getting their EXPECTATIONS met. I also discuss how you shouldn’t be afraid of having high expectations as high-performing individuals will thrive when striving for lofty goals. This episode explains how focusing on clear Inspection and effective monitoring your team members will meet your expectations and achieve success and personal satisfaction.
Listen in to this very practical episode packed with examples for your solutions for implementing “Inspection Points” such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure your high expectations get consistently met.
LINKS:
Fundamentals of Leadership short course
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I interview Dr Lutza Ireland (Autistic/ADHD/she/her) a psychologist, multi award winning designer, researcher and international speaker who is passionate about neuro-inclusion.
This episode explores neurodiversity and celebrates the unique strengths of different minds, and shares insights into neuro-inclusion, which involves conscious efforts to include individuals with distinct cognitive profiles like autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, and dyslexia.
The conversation shares practical ways to make your workplace more neuro-inclusive and also covers the increasing awareness of neurodiversity, driven by COVID-19 and the link between entrepreneurship and ADHD. Dr Lutzer discusses how neurodiversity is universally applicable to businesses and can improve the performance of all team members within an organisation through the ‘curb cut’ effect.
Dr Lutza shares best practices for neuro-inclusive workplaces including universal design principles, focusing on clarity, collaboration, and effective tool usage.
Tune in for an insightful conversation about this important topic.
Connect with Dr Lutza:
Dr Lutza (Autistic/ADHD/she/her) is a psychologist and multi-award-winning social designer. She uses design thinking and co-design methods to embed inclusion in products and services. Her work includes custom-designed ND employment pilots and inclusion frameworks for large, matrixed corporations. Her clients and collaborations include Google, Accenture, Woolworths and Rio Tinto.
Dr Lutza specialises in neuro-inclusion at work, including:
· Assessment and diagnosis for Autism and ADHD
· Needs assessment, recommendations and review for reasonable accommodations
· Corporate training and consulting
As a passion project, Dr Lutza is developing UGuide, a platform for assessing and sharing “human user guides” for work preferences and reasonable accommodations.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lutza-ireland-5b028116b/
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
In today’s episode, I finish off my two-part series on the essential elements of building a lean team in your business. I share the last two critical strategies and elements that you need to have in place; effective time management and prioritisation.
In the fast-paced world of business, time is a precious resource. It's essential not only for you but also for your team to manage and prioritise their time effectively. I share some examples of areas you can assess to see how effective time management is within your business, as it is a pivotal element in making your team a well-oiled machine.
Empowering your team members to be autonomous, take initiative, and make decisions is essential for a lean and efficient team. I share some questions that you can ask yourself such as “do you trust your team to make decisions independently?” The examples I share will help you assess whether each team member knows their level of authority and where they can exercise their judgment without seeking constant approval, as empowering your team requires trust and clarity.
I hope that as you reflect on the four critical elements I have shared over this two-part series, it encourages you to reflect on these strategies and remember that the ultimate goal of having a lean and effective team is to ensure you align your team's efforts with your vision for your business.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, I kick off a two-part series on the essential elements of building a lean team in your business. Having a lean team is not only about minimising your costs, but is also about optimising efficiency to maximise returns with your existing team. Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, the insights I share will prove invaluable in enhancing your team's effectiveness.
In this episode, I share the first two critical strategies, the first two critical elements that you need to have in place; clear communication and efficient workflows. An essential element for a lean and effective team is clear communication, and I share the reasons why effective communication is crucial for the success of any team, especially in small businesses where resources are limited, and everyone often wears multiple hats. It is common that small businesses need to do more with fewer resources, and I share some real-life examples of how you can review the efficiency of your current systems, processes, and team structure.
I hope that this episode encourages you to reflect on your current business structure, and where you could make adjustments to create a lean, effective, and profitable team. Stay tuned for next week’s episode where I share two the last two critical strategies and elements that you need to have in place.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I am joined by Tracey Mylecharane, an unconventional business lawyer who delivers confidence to small business owners. Tracey founded her business with an empower ethos and a commitment to educate and empower small business owners to back themselves, legally. Today, we discuss the legal side of hiring people and having a team in your business.
We talk about what all business owners need to know from a legal perspective when they get to the stage of having other people working for them, whether they are building a team or engaging subcontractors. We discuss how important it is for business owners to know and be mindful of certain legal definitions before diving into the hiring process. Tracey shares some examples of common hiring situations and how easy it can be to fall into hiring headaches further down the track due to a lack of clarity at the start of the hiring process.
Tracey shares how there are no shortcuts when hiring people, and discusses the importance of having the right legal documents in place to serve your business, and set both parties up for success. We talk about Tracey’s ethos in business and the ways in which she educates and empowers time-tight business owners and entrepreneurs to navigate their obligations, minimise their risk, design tailored legal documents, and manage any legal roadblocks so that they can focus on driving business with confidence and peace of mind.
Connect with Tracey:
Get a copy of Tracey’s free Annual Legal Checklist here -
https://tmsolicitor.mykajabi.com/legals-checklist
Instagram @tmsolicitor
Website: www.tmsolicitor.com.au
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, I delve into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and how you can use it in relation to your team. I talk about the ways in which AI can simplify your hiring and team management processes, and I provide some valuable insights and recommendations on how to use AI in your business.
I share 5 ways that you can use AI, and how each of these ways revolves around the concept of getting started. It can be challenging at times to define tasks when hiring for new roles and I show you some specific examples of how AI can make this a more streamlined and efficient process for you.
I explore how AI can serve as a valuable starting point for your upcoming hire, and how it can be used for processes for measuring team success such as KPIs for various roles. I talk about how you can use AI to write and define position descriptions and role responsibilities, and I share some relevant prompts and examples to help you get started.
I hope that this episode encourages you to explore how AI can help simplify the hiring process and team management process within your business.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I am joined by a great friend and previous client of mine, Jazze Jervis. Jazze is an entrepreneur, investor, and seven-figure business coach. Today, we go behind the scenes of her incredible business to gain some insight into how she works with her Online Business Manager (OBM) and team. Together, Jazze and her OBM have built a powerful team that operates with autonomy and efficiency.
Jazze breaks down her current team set-up and dynamic, and shares how the team has come together over the last few years. We explore how Jazze’s OBM manages the team and how they have worked hard to create a team that works in their respective zones of genius.
We go through the ways in which Jazze likes to work, and how the relationship with her OBM has evolved over the years. We talk about the ways Jazze likes to handle communication with her OBM, and how responsibilities and tasks are managed within the team. Jazze shares how working with her OBM has been an evolving journey to streamline business operations to be efficient and cost-effective. We explore how it is important to have a strong team and how to have team members aligned with roles that match both their strengths and their passions.
I hope that this episode encourages you to see it is entirely possible to create a business and team structure that suits your leadership and preferred working style, just like Jazze! Growing and scaling a business doesn’t need to be hard, Jazze shares a lot of valuable insights and tips so that you too can work towards having a successful seven-figure online business with a remote team.
Connect with Jazze:
Check out Constantly Converting: www.jazzejervis.com.au/constantly-converting
Website:www.jazzejervis.com.au
Instagram:@jazzejervis_
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, I talk about how to have difficult conversations with someone on your team and share my top 10 tips on how you can make them feel easier. One of the most common questions I get asked by current and potential clients is how to have difficult conversations, as for most leaders these conversations do not come naturally. I know that difficult conversations can be challenging as you grow and scale your business, but I am here to change that narrative - these conversations can feel totally normal with practice and time.
I talk about my definition of what a difficult conversation is and the common examples these conversations can involve, from issues like addressing mistakes to giving feedback. I share how it is really important to have these types of conversations regularly to maintain healthy work relationships and productivity with your team.
I share my top 10 tips on how you can make difficult conversations feel easy and normal, for both you and your team. I talk about how you should always be prepared for these conversations and the ways in which you can take different opportunities to dive deeper with your team at various times throughout the day. I share how you can create a safe environment to have difficult conversations, and by being prepared and maintaining curiosity and gratitude, you can turn challenging discussions into opportunities for growth and improvement with your team.
LINKS:
Fundamentals Of Leadership: self-paced short course https://paula-maidens.mykajabi.com/fundamentals-of-leadership
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I am joined by the inspiring Jenny Stilwell, author of The 7% Club. Jenny sheds light on the challenges faced by businesses as they aim to grow their revenue beyond 2 million dollars, with only 7% of Australian businesses achieving this milestone. We delve into the complexities that arise during business growth and share some valuable insights on how to overcome common obstacles many entrepreneurs face growing and scaling their business.
Jenny's background encompasses decades of experience in business consulting and mentoring. Starting as a marketing consultant during a recession to becoming a CEO herself, Jenny has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by business owners at various stages.
We discuss how as entrepreneurs, we must take control of our business and understand the complexities that arise in order to strategise effectively. Jenny shares three key areas to focus on in order to achieve this, from understanding your finances to building out a strong team. We talk about how to involve your team in the decision-making process to help foster engagement, commitment, and innovation.
Jenny shares valuable insights on how to implement effective strategies before reaching the $2 million revenue mark in order to set yourself and your business up for success. I hope that this episode encourages you to explore Jenny’s insights further by reading her book, The 7% Club, so you can ensure a smoother transition for your business into higher levels of growth.
Download Jenny’s Strategy Roadmap Guide to help develop a strategic plan for your business:
https://jennystilwell.com.au/free-strategy-guide/
Learn more about Jenny’s book (The 7% Club) and where to purchase it: https://jennystilwell.com.au/the-7-percent-club/
Connect with Jenny:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/JennyStilwell/
Website: https://jennystilwell.com.au/
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode, I delve into an important aspect and topic of business; how to build business sustainability into your team. I dive deep into this common challenge many entrepreneurs face, which is being over-reliant on key team members. I talk about how you should have established systems and processes in place that ensure your business's continuity, regardless of individual circumstances.
I share some actionable insights that you can use to help cultivate a sustainable and thriving team. I address how relying on a single team member is really common, and how it is important for you as a leader and CEO of your business to move away from this structure. I share what it means to have sustainability in relation to your team, and how every business, regardless of size should always consider the potential impact of any individual's departure from the team.
I talk about how a sustainable business relies on systems and processes, not just individual team members. I share some examples of processes that can help you outline current team members’ roles so that you can ensure seamless transitions and prevent knowledge loss. I share how you can maintain the balance between valuing team members and protecting your business against unexpected circumstances.
I hope that this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™ helps you identify areas of your business where you could implement more robust systems and processes. The examples shared in this episode will help you assess potential knowledge gaps and vulnerabilities in your business so that you can start building sustainability into your team.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Send me a message on Instagram @paulamaidensconsulting
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I am joined by Amy Dawe, founder of Seed Virtual Assistants. Amy is a mentor to many Virtual Assistants (VA) around Australia helping them leverage their unique strengths to launch, grow and scale their business, and is committed to educating and supporting businesses to understand the power of outsourcing. Today we dive deep into the world of Virtual Assistants, and the incredible value and support they can bring to your business.
As entrepreneurs and business owners, we spend a lot of time thinking about who we need to work with and what we need to do to achieve our business goals. Amy shares her story with me and talks about the difference between a VA and OBM (online business manager) and the ways in which these roles can support you and your business. We dive deep into the many roles a VA could have within your business, from administrative assistance to creative and tech support, and how VAs differ from an employee.
We share some insights and tips on how to engage the right VA for your business, one who will complement your working style and business needs. We go over the ways in which you can set yourself up for success by outsourcing to a VA and how you should be clear on the tasks and responsibilities, working preferences, and style of communication from the get-go.
I hope that this episode encourages you to reflect on your business and identify some areas in which engaging with a Virtual Assistant could help you continue to scale and grow, and so that you can spend more time in your zone of genius!
Connect with Amy:
Check out Seed VA’s free service - connecting business owners with Virtual Assistants - https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/directory
Website:www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au
Instagram:@seedva.mentor
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I delve into the balance between flexibility and structure when it comes to your team. These days, it is really common for businesses to offer flexible working arrangements for both employees and contractors. I talk about how you can make flexible working arrangements work for you, and some of the things to look out for to set your business up for success.
I share practical tips and insights to help you understand how your business can really thrive while embracing flexible working arrangements. I discuss how you can attract and retain amazing team members and the potential cost savings associated with having flexible roles within your business. I also share how you could experience potential downsides if your team is not managed correctly which could have a bigger impact on things such as productivity and deadlines within your business.
I discuss three of my essential tips for making flexible working arrangements work for you, your business, and your team. I talk about how understanding your personal preferences, business requirements, and finding the right fit when hiring for flexible roles are key components to having a successful work environment.
I hope that this episode encourages you to see the benefits of implementing flexible work arrangements so that your business can thrive in today’s dynamic work environment. Flexible work arrangements can really work for YOU, your business, and your team!
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today’s episode is about staying in control of your business while not staying involved. Have you ever considered if you are a bottleneck in your business? I talk about what this concept means and share some real-life examples to help you understand where this might be happening in your business and some steps on how you can effectively work with your team.
I share how to recognise if you are being a bottleneck in your business and explore how easy it can be to become one when you are trying to do everything yourself. I break down four important steps on how you can stay in control while not staying involved, and how you can feel safe and calm whilst handing over a task or function in your business.
I explore some of the reasons you may find it challenging to stay in control of your business while not staying involved. I hope that this episode encourages you to work through the four steps I share so that you can get clear on what is important to you in your business, what controls you could put in place, and what success ultimately looks like for you.
LINKS:
Fundamentals Of Leadership - Short Course
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I share my top five leadership traits with you. These leadership traits are ones that I see demonstrated by the best-performing leaders, with the best-performing teams.
I go through the top five leadership traits to show you that you can have a business that feels easy and a team that performs like rockstars. This episode goes through some reasons why you might not be feeling in flow and how to work out a rhythm that works for you, your business, and your team. I share examples with you so that you can recognise some of the leadership traits you already have and some areas in which you could improve.
I hope that this episode encourages you to be a more clear, more empowering, and more inspiring leader. This will help support your team to elevate their performance, and be who you need and want them to be.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
A few weeks ago, I had a really busy week which made me reflect and think about whether I had set myself and my business up for success, by allowing and planning for space. In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I reflect upon how I have structured my business and share some reasons why as entrepreneurs, we should be planning for space to support us in weeks when things don’t always go according to plan.
I share how I have been feeling really busy and what this means for me. I give some specific examples of how my work week can quickly change. I talk about how it is really important to have the right systems and processes in place to support your business and share some examples of how you can review this in your own business. I explore how recently a few unexpected things came up in my week and share my reflections on what a spacious business means for me.
Recording this episode challenged me to reflect upon how I have structured my business and what changes I could make to ensure that it worked for me every week. I hope that it encourages you to ask yourself if you are operating your business in a spacious way, and what changes could you implement to ensure you are building a sustainable business that supports you and your dream life.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
I am so excited to share today’s episode of the Big Dreams Great Teams podcast as I take you behind the scenes and share some of my end-of-financial-year reflections. Dive in with me as I share an overview of my accounts, profitability, revenue, and some of the highlights and lessons I have learned along the way.
I talk about how I believe I am well and truly out of the start-up phase of my business and share how this was demonstrated to me via my business's profitability, consistency of revenue, and overall growth. I speak about the wage I pay myself and how this has drastically changed over the past year.
I go into depth on how my boundaries have been challenged through some of the limiting beliefs and stories I was telling myself, and I go over a few of the realisations I had surrounding my 4-day work week, my family, and my clients. There have been several areas I have improved upon over the last year, from speaking at events to working one-on-one with a coach. I share how these changes have allowed me the opportunity to pivot my focus from growing my revenue to focusing on my business’s profit.
I know as an entrepreneur when we are busy doing all the things, it can be hard to take a moment and reflect on how far we have come and acknowledge all the hard work we have put in. I share how I am proud of myself and the business I have built over the past five years. I hope that this episode encourages you to take a moment and reflect on the financial year that has been, and how far you have come along in building a business and life of your dreams.
LINKS:
Have you done a TIME AUDIT before? Here's why this is a MUST for your business
Time Audit Results - My Surprising Results: What I Discovered & What I'm Changing
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today I go behind the scenes with one of my wonderful clients, Sally Brindle, who owns Total Accounts, a business that provides full-service bookkeeping to small and medium businesses. Sally started Total Accounts 10 years ago and is extremely passionate about helping small businesses thrive. In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Sally and I explore the journey of leading her high multiple six-figure business, and some of the big shifts she has made over the last nine months since working together in her business and life.
Sally shares with me why she decided to have a 100% fully remote team from the beginning and why that works best for her, her business, her team and her clients. We explore the ways in which Sally was leading her team when we first started working together, and talk about some of the strategies we put into place to help her overcome the feeling of always being really busy. This is a feeling I know a lot of entrepreneurs have and struggle with, and we speak about how we worked out what Sally actually wanted to be doing in her business, and what tasks and responsibilities could be given to someone else on her team. We share how we mapped out a hiring strategy that suited Sally and her business allowing her to go on and confidently grow her team to 10 people and which furthered her businesses revenue growth.
We take a look at the framework Sally now has in place to lead her team and how she is living her dream week and what that looks like for her. I hope that this episode inspires you to take a look at your current team and I encourage you to identify some tasks and responsibilities that you could pass along to someone on your team, or to a new hire. You deserve to have a team who performs to your highest expectations, brings you a great return and tangibly supports you to build the life and business of your dreams.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with Sally:
Website: https://totalaccounts.com.au/
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I am joined by CPA turned holistic health coach, Jaiana Francis. Jaiana is the Founder & CEO of Boss Babe Fitness Academy and today she talks with me about the challenges of being an entrepreneur and not letting our health and fitness journey fall by the wayside.
We discuss the importance of nutrition, exercise, emotional and stress management, sleep, and true self care in order to be the best version of ourselves both in business and in life. Jaiana discusses how we can take radical responsibility for our health and fitness journey, just like we try to do in business. We deep dive into how a holistic health journey should be one that is balanced, fun and sustainable, and the ways in which we can implement habits for the long-term. We talk about the challenges of running your own business and how easy it can be to forget to take a well-rounded approach with our work-life balance.
Dive into this episode to learn Jaiana’s five principles to being a healthy and successful entrepreneur and how to apply a strategic mindset that we often use in business for our health and fitness journey. I hope that this episode encourages you to take a look at your current health and fitness journey and find new ways in which you can prioritise your health and achieve a sustainable work-life balance that suits you and your business.
LINKS:
Connect with Jaiana:
Take the quiz to learn more about your body type: www.bossbabefitnessacademy.com/quiz/
Website: www.bossbabefitnessacademy.com
Instagram: @jaiana.francis
Facebook: @jaianafrancis
TikTok: @jaianafrancis
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
One of the most common questions I get asked by my clients and business friends is HOW to phrase giving somebody feedback. In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I dive deep into this topic and discuss how giving feedback is an art, a skill and a science that can be learnt, as for many entrepreneurs it often does not come naturally.
I know for many leaders, the fear of giving feedback is the reason why many avoid doing it. Perhaps you yourself have had a negative experience receiving feedback, or perhaps you have given feedback to a team member and they have been taken by surprise and as a result, haven’t taken it so well. In today’s episode, I share my three steps to giving useful and robust feedback so that you can get the results you are after with your team.
In order to have a high performing team, you need to learn how to give feedback in a way that supports, improves and develops the individual. I hope that this episode encourages you to take a look at how you are currently giving feedback to your team and gives you the guidance you need to explore the areas and ways in which you can improve.
LINKS:
Fundamentals Of Leadership (self-paced short course)
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I go behind the scenes with one of my incredible clients, Amy Sanders-Robbins, who owns Bespoke Family Lawyers, a family law practice based in Brisbane, QLD. Amy has been a family lawyer for 15 years and started running and managing her own practice five years ago. Today, Amy shares her story with us and tells me how she's evolved and transformed as an individual, and most importantly as a leader and business owner.
Amy and I started working together around 10 months ago to help her establish a better work-life balance, something that I know many entrepreneurs struggle with when running their own business. In this episode, Amy and I dive deep into the challenges, the lessons and all that she has faced running a business and leading a team over the past five years. We talk about Amy’s leadership style, how she is an empath and what this means for her as a leader. We go through some real life examples of the challenges that she has overcome through working with me to get to the place she is today, of leading her team in a graceful and empowered way.
We dive deep into the ins and outs of her team - who makes up her team, what her team set up is like and how a combination of remote and in-office time works best for her and her team. We speak about the importance of hiring right and how the hiring process can allow you as an entrepreneur to take your business to the next level. The inner work as a leader never stops and we discuss how being open to the journey and embracing it and taking moments to reflect help us redirect our passion, energy and expertise to where it really counts.
So, if you’re feeling busy and completely under the pump, I hope this episode both inspires and challenges you to take the time to dig a little deeper and uncover some practical ways that you can implement and help you feel more in control of how to hire and lead your team, so that you can live the life of your dreams.
LINKS:
Connect with Amy:
Website: www.bespokefamilylawyers.com.au
Instagram: @bespokefamilylawyers
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Something I notice that is really common with my clients is that when something goes wrong in their business, they try to immediately fix the symptom themselves, rather than taking the time to understand the cause or reason for the problem. When running your own business, it can be really normal that when you see a mistake or something that you don’t like, you jump right in and fix it, rather than pausing and asking why or how it happened.
In today's episode, I explore the difference between the symptom and a cause and how to correctly identify both so that you can begin to understand what is happening in your business and with your team so you are focusing on the right thing.
We talk about how to really get to the heart of what is causing the issues you may be currently facing in your business by asking yourself and your team the right questions.
In this episode I talk about how often I see the common mistake continually fixing the symptoms rather than the cause, and by only fixing the symptoms - it’s like putting a short term bandaid on the situation. Instead, you need to pause to understand the root cause of the problem and work out an effective way to address it and in this episode I explain to you how to know the difference and how to fix the right thing.
In this episode I share two specific client examples so that you can really get a sense of where this could be happening in your own business. I also share a few practical tips for you to implement on how to successfully approach a problem with your team.
Dive into this episode to learn how you might be fixing certain problems or situations in your business without looking at or getting to the root cause of it. You’ll learn how to start asking yourself and your team the right questions about why things are happening the way they are and how to implement the necessary changes so that you can have the rockstar team that you truly deserve.
LINKS:
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
One of the big things that I work on with my clients is how they can design a business and team that truly suits them as an individual. So today I've invited Amy Lea onto the show to talk about working in coherence instead of hustle, and how understanding your human design can help streamline your life and your business.
Amy is an astrologer, Human Design consultant and somatic business coach who helps her clients uncover their true selves, lead with their strengths and create their most aligned and enriching lives. She also teaches Human Design and astrology to coaches, healers, practitioners and leaders who are looking to bring this transformational work to their own clients.
After suffering a health crisis and being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition in 2012, Amy’s life changed completely. Turning to books on energetics to help her understand the emotions that were triggering her illness, she was driven to study astrology and eventually stumbled upon Human Design. Amy describes it as the missing piece in truly understanding and discovering her own authenticity.
In a world that tells us to push, strive and force, Amy believes there's a better way. In our conversation, we talk about walking a path of uniqueness and truth, which can lead to coherence in how we operate in our businesses as our true selves. Amy explains the difference between astrology and Human Design, and describes how they can be used in conjunction with each other to create a deep awareness of who we are at the core.
Amy gives us insight on the science of Human Design, and how the cosmic imprinting we receive at the moment of birth gives us certain planetary qualities that shape who we are. She encourages us that understanding our Human Design profiles will give us guidance on what we can accept about ourselves, and what to let go of.
We discuss how Human Design can be used to understand how we best perform as leaders, and what we require from our team members so that we’re supported in the best way possible.
This conversation with Amy was truly fascinating, and I hope this episode inspires you to believe in yourself as you lead your team, knowing you can trust your intuition as you move your business forward.
LINKS:
Connect with Amy:
Instagram: @amylea.co
@myconsellation.co
Websites:
www.amylea.com.au
www.myconstellation.com.au
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Some of you may not know that I’ve been doing yoga for a really long time. Almost 20 years, in fact. Shortly after starting, it began to impact my life to the point where I would be told that when I practiced regularly, I became a better businesswoman, mother and wife. So what does yoga and leadership have in common? Today I share with you the surprising leadership lessons I’ve learnt on my yoga journey through the years.
I first came to yoga during my years working in a high pressure environment, where I would go to the gym a few hours a week in an attempt to offset the many hours of ‘socialising’ that came with corporate life. I soon became dependent on yoga as my secret weapon to health and wellbeing - so much so that I even became a qualified teacher.
As a leader, there are many times when you’re caught off guard by a challenge that almost takes your breath away. A surprise resignation, an employee’s mistake or a customer complaint can come at any time, and aren’t always in your control. That’s why I believe one of the greatest lessons to learn is mastering the art of pausing to respond in a way that you feel great about. In this episode, I share with you six surprising things you can learn from attending a yoga class to help you become a better leader.
I talk about staying humble as a leader, and how being pushed to your physical limits in a yoga class can remind you what it’s like to be a beginner. You’ll also see how everyone in the room is wired differently, and how you can relate this to understanding what history and capabilities others are bringing to your business.
There are times when everyone in a yoga class hears instructions differently, and there’s something to be learned here about patience in giving instructions to your team. I talk about the range of emotions you may experience in a yoga class and how becoming aware of your own triggers can help you understand what you need to feel truly supported.
I encourage you to step into leading in a curious rather than furious way, and believe that the knowledge to be gained from a yoga class will give you amazing insights on your team, your business and yourself as an empowered leader.
LINKS:
10 Leadership Lessons From A Yoga Class
Book a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
I’m so excited to dive in and share with you how you can elevate your thinking, revolutionise your business, empower your team and take it to new heights to become a 7 figure CEO.
We all know that as entrepreneurs, we start off wearing all of the hats and handling every aspect of our business. While this can initially be exciting and challenging, it can also become overwhelming and hinder our growth potential by consuming all of our time and energy. That's where our team AND a shift in mindset can step in to save us.
In this episode, I’m introducing you to 2 different ways you can change your business processes and the way you approach handling your team to achieve growth. You'll not only free up your own time but also unlock the full potential of your team members. Together, you'll drive your business forward and achieve a new level of productivity and success.
We’ll explore how to provide your team with clear guidelines and encourage them to take ownership of their work and problem-solve independently. You can build the confidence of your employees by fostering a culture of trust and encouraging open communication where innovative solutions flourish.
Tune in to learn how to embrace this entrepreneurial to empowered mindset shift and watch your businesses thrive like never before!
**LINKS:
Connect with me:Book a discovery call with me here**!Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
I’ve seen many employers and managers face hiring regret every day. You may think you have hired the absolute perfect person for the role but when they start working, they just don’t seem to be a good fit for the company culture or they just aren’t delivering the results you need. As an employer, you can start feeling frustration, disappointment and may even start resenting the new employee and yourself for not picking up the red flags in the recruitment.
In this episode, I’m sharing 5 red flags to look for upfront during the application and interviewing stage to help you avoid having hiring regret. Hindsight is a remarkable and sometimes very frustrating thing! So, let’s try and look out for these red flags from the beginning so we’re not left wondering how we didn’t see the problem before.
Take the opportunity from the very outset to reflect on whether the applicant follows the hiring process, answers your questions in an interview, is being vague, doesn’t ask you any questions or shows they’ve researched the company, and if they seem to only be motivated by money.
I’ll explore each red flag to watch for in this jam-packed conversation to ensure that you aren’t looking back with regret having to performance manage an employee. And remember, it’s so important to have conversations about expectations sooner rather than later because ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.
**LINKS:
Connect with me:**Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
I recently spoke on the importance of doing a time audit in your business when it comes to managing your and your team’s time. Today, I go behind the scenes and share the surprising results I received from my own time audit. I dive into what I discovered, how my perspective has shifted and what I’m now committed to changing.
I personally thought I had my time management sorted. I’m super organised, I’ve done all the time management courses… but the process of time auditing and the data that followed completely opened my eyes to what was really going on for me in my business.
It’s the little things that add up - saying yes to more work, taking extra time at coffee with a friend, giving away advice here and there. As somebody who thinks of themselves as really time-aware, it was hard to fathom how many extra hours added up just by saying ‘yes’ a few too many times.
We allocate so much of our time to things we aren’t even aware of, and this can go unnoticed if we don’t take stock of our daily habits. I take you through the practical steps of how I dissected my time-spending, including simple note-taking, analysing my screen time and re-thinking my scheduling.
It’s true that many of us find joy in attempting to do it all ourselves, not only in our businesses but our personal lives as well. We get a kick out of feeling organised, but it’s important to take a step back and ask yourself some serious questions. Why am I choosing to spend time here? Does it have to be me? Is there another way?
There’s value in delegating and assigning tasks to those who are already committed to supporting you. It’s possible to still get that same hit of satisfaction without investing your time into something that isn’t right for you to do.
If you want your life and your diary to feel more spacious, I encourage you to take the steps towards getting in control of your time. It’s time to get stuck in and look at the real numbers, using the information you discover to make great choices that will see your business grow.
LINKS:
Resources mentioned:
Book: Time Magic by Melissa Ambrosini and Nick Broadhurst
App: RescueTime
Previous episode on time audits: Have you done a TIME AUDIT before? Here's why this is a MUST for your business
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
A common struggle that many leaders and business owners face is knowing how to get the most value out of their people. Getting to a place where you are ready to hand over tasks and delegate to people on your team can feel like yet another thing on your growing to-do list.
So today I’m taking you through some powerful ways to get maximum productivity and value out of people who are working on your team without the worry, guilt or stress that a lot of business owners carry.
If the people on your team are constantly coming to you to ask what’s next and you would like them to work more autonomously, understanding exactly what they should be doing, this episode is going to be perfect for you. By being clear on what it is you need and want to get done, you can then begin to delegate tasks and longer term projects, both freeing up your time and inching your business forward in a systematic and productive way.
In this episode, I’m sharing two ways you can think about delegating to someone on your team in order to get the most value out of their time. This is all about setting them up for ongoing tasks, eliminating the need for them to come to you when they’ve run out of things to do.
I talk about the power of handing over repeatable tasks and coming up with an extensive list of the tasks you currently do that you could hand over to someone else. These are the easiest tasks to hand over because you’re already doing them on a regular basis. I share some examples of what these tasks might be and how to go about delegating them without creating even more work for yourself.
Another powerful way to delegate is by mapping out your year or at least the next 3-6 months. Think of all the things you have booked in your diary, the ideas you have and the projects you would like to get happening. By mapping it all out, you can then begin to delegate the tasks and projects that will inch your business forward. It’s important to delegate both these repeatable tasks and longer term projects so that the people on your team always have something they can focus on.
Delegation is challenging for a lot of leaders, but I encourage you to sit down and really invest the time to create this list and master plan. It might surprise you how much time and energy you can free up!
I hope this episode gives you some really solid and practical ways to make sure that you are getting maximum value out of your team and helps to shift your thinking away from worry and toward the bigger picture.
LINKS:
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Creating effective systems or implementing change within your business has the potential to support you and your team in a powerful way. However, doing so can be such an overwhelming concept for busy entrepreneurs, that really nailing down our processes often falls by the wayside. Today I’m joined by Shauna Vassell, who shares her wisdom on improving your systems and processes to help you scale.
Shauna is a Certified Executive Coach who helps her clients become better leaders, reach the next level in their careers and grow high performing teams. She guides people in embracing change while creating meaningful impact in their personal and professional lives.
When it comes to keeping the operations in your business running smoothly, consistency is key. It can affect the satisfaction of not only your team, but your clients and customers as well. However, if you’re a creative entrepreneur who struggles to focus in on the nitty gritty details, or a business owner with little time on your hands, being asked to be consistent may present itself as quite a challenge.
In our conversation, Shauna talks about the lack of clarity around what a system really is, which keeps many people in overwhelm and without healthy processes. She breaks down the meaning of a system and its value in helping you achieve the outcome you’re really looking for.
We talk about starting off with the small things when it comes to streamlining processes, and what to ask yourself when creating new strategies. What are you trying to achieve? What are your client’s or customer’s needs? Knowing your objectives will help you to put in place the systems that will bring you into alignment with your goals.
Shauna shares her tips on reviewing your processes, which include breaking down all the little steps to understand where things can be improved. We discuss identifying the symptoms in your business that mean you’ve outgrown your current ways of operating, and how to analyse what’s bringing value to your processes and what’s not.
Shauna describes the operational pieces as the bedrock; the tree trunk that supports all the different branches that make up your business. Rather than focusing solely on fast growth, she encourages us to value incremental improvement, which will provide the strong foundation you need to successfully scale your business.
LINKS:
Connect with Shauna:
Website:https://koncave.ca/
Instagram:@koncavebusiness
Podcast: Scale To Grow
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
A conversation that often comes up with my clients and business friends is around the topic of expectations. How do you know if what you are asking is okay? And what is the difference between having high expectations and being unreasonable?
These are really common and important questions to ask and it’s likely that you’ve asked them yourself at some stage in your entrepreneurial journey. So in this episode, I dive into the difference between high and unreasonable expectations and share some examples of what each of these might look like in the workplace.
An area in which I see this uncertainty surrounding expectations is workload. Understanding what is reasonable or unreasonable to ask of someone requires a lot of consideration, communication and an understanding of the individuals involved.
Today I share five areas to consider when determining if your expectations are reasonable or unreasonable. I talk about taking a closer look at workload, capacity, current priorities, personal skillset, the level of desire for the people involved and how this all plays out in the area of expectations.
We all know what it feels like to have too much on our plate and not enough time to perform our responsibilities. For some, being thrown in the deep end to learn new skills is exciting, while others need to feel confident in their skillset and abilities before being ready to take on a new challenge.
This is why it’s absolutely essential to have two sided conversations to see where people are at, what is important to them, what needs to be done and the process involved in completing the task.
Having a rockstar team isn’t just about hiring well. It’s about leading well and helping your team feel safe to take risks, which is what high performing team members do. I hope this episode gives you some great insights into understanding your expectations and how you can shift out of being unreasonable into powerfully asking for what you want and need from your team.
LINKS:
5 Ways To Supercharge Your Team - Downloadable PDF
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Have you ever done a time audit in your business before? I know what you’re thinking - this sounds more than a little boring and there are way more exciting ways to spend the precious minutes of your day. But I’m here to tell you why tracking where your and your team’s time is going will blow your mind and is an absolute MUST for your business.
As entrepreneurs, managing our time is pretty much the biggest challenge we face. Most of us assume we know where we’re spending our time during our work days, but just like everything else - whether it’s tracking our diet or managing our finances - we rarely understand the full picture until we write it down and add it all up.
I address three common challenges that my clients often talk about when it comes to managing their time, and recommend the practical tips and tools I’ve found have really helped get to the heart of these situations and take back control.
I talk about the importance of analysing whether you’re in a hiring or deprioritising situation when you’re running out of time. I share my thoughts on collaborating with your team on a time audit from a place of curiosity, rather than directing them from a place of accusation. I offer a different perspective when it comes to hiring someone new, when you feel as though you can’t afford to.
I know that like me, you want to drive yourself and your team to be as productive and efficient as possible. I’ve seen firsthand how a time audit can be an incredible diagnostic tool to assess the health of your time management, and encourage you to make sure you’re protecting one of your most valuable assets.
I hope today’s episode inspires you to begin taking steps to get the most out of your day, your team, and bring back that precious space in your diary.
LINKS:5 Ways To Supercharge Your Team - Downloadable PDF
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Change impacts different people in different ways, and it’s important to know how to deliver information in a way that supports anyone who may be affected by it. Today I’m joined by Mel Loy, who shares with us her top five tips to communicating change to your team effectively.
Mel is the owner and CEO of Brisbane-based agency Hey Mel! Communication & Training. With over 20 years experience in corporate communication, Mel strives to support business owners in getting better at delivering information and ultimately getting the best reactions possible from those on the receiving end.
Whether it’s to do with your people, operations, structure or services, change can be tricky to navigate. It can often be challenging to get everyone on board when it comes to implementing new ideas, and having a strategy in place to share new information to your team is vital. We talk about how being prepared and early in your communication will put you on the front foot and keep you in control of the narrative.
People respond to change in such varying ways, that really knowing your team and how they may react to certain news will help you deliver new information in a way that’s best for each person. Know who you’re speaking to, and you’ll understand how to break the news - good or bad - in a way that resonates with and supports your audience.
Mel encourages transparency when it comes to sharing news with your team, including giving people the ‘why’ and being able to translate the message into something meaningful for them. This type of leadership builds the trust between you and your team that is so crucial in building a successful business.
We talk about owning the decisions we make, even when change is out of our control. Standing strong in your choices will squash any uncertainty that may arise, and reduce the anxiety it can bring to your team.
It may be appealing to avoid dealing with the questions or resistance we may face. However, Mel assures us that being an open, transparent leader with strategic communication will support you and your team to face any change together with confidence and unity.
LINKS:
Connect with Mel
Website: https://www.heymelcomms.training/
Instagram:@heymel.comms
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieloy/
Podcast:Less Chatter, More Matter
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Micromanaging is almost like a dirty word, and we generally strive to steer clear of leading in this way. But is micromanaging always a bad thing?
Many of my clients explain to me the challenges they encounter with getting someone on their team to perform the way they want them to. And there is so much fear around being perceived as a micromanager, that I see people quickly jumping in to say they’re not guilty of being one.
However, monitoring our employees’ work closely isn’t always a bad thing, and depending on the context, it may even be necessary.
In today’s episode, I define micromanagement and aim to dispel some unhelpful myths about it only being a bad thing. So when is it good, and when is it not?
I share my thoughts on this and encourage you to examine your own definition of micromanagement. I also challenge you to reflect on the way you’re interacting with your team. Are you boosting their productivity or hindering it?
It’s important to ask yourself whether you’re negatively affecting your team members’ work, and I share with you four behaviours or ways of acting as prompts for you to do this. Is your way the only way? Do you struggle to delegate? Do you have a low tolerance for mistakes? Are you changing up your team’s processes frequently because you lack a clear plan?
Finding balance in how you lead your team is so important. Providing guidance to your employees, as well as the space to do their work, will allow you the freedom to focus on the things that are important to you.
I hope today’s episode will get you thinking about the ways you’re acting and reacting, and what might need to change so that you can have an effective and productive dream team.
LINKS:
Previous episode mentioned: How To Stop Wasting Your Time Fixing Your Teams Mistakes
Book in a Dream Team Discovery Call
Connect with me:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Have you ever wondered why you’re consistently hitting that slump at 2pm and reaching for another coffee? Do you struggle with a case of brain fog when you go to write that blog post? Or maybe you’re experiencing digestive issues and trouble sleeping.
Today, I chat with the amazing Dr Heather Finley about how your gut health may be affecting your performance at work and in life.
Hailing from the US, Dr Heather Finley is a registered dietician and gut health specialist who is dedicated to helping people with issues such as bloating, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Dr Heather Finley’s work has been featured in many publications such as Mind Body Green, Yahoo!, Life and Very Well Health - to name a few!
Dr Heather Finley’s wealth of knowledge on digestive health is incredibly eye-opening, and she shares some interesting facts on eating habits and their potential to affect our performance as entrepreneurs.
We talk in depth about healthy gut bacteria and how it can prevent diseases and infection and how it can make us more resilient to stress - an extremely valuable asset for busy entrepreneurs!
Rather than focusing on the foods or ingredients we should be avoiding, Dr Heather Finley’s approach to achieving a healthy gut is all about integrating healthy practices into our day-to-day. We discuss these healthy practices and lifestyle habits and how it is really possible to make changes or additions to our routines to ensure our bodies operate at their best.
If you haven’t thought about how your gut health may be affecting your productivity, I encourage you to be open and really take in the valuable wisdom that Dr Heather Finley has to offer.
We share some simple ideas you can use right away to easily create more variety in your life, and I hope that today’s episode will support you to take the steps to enhance your performance in life and as you grow your business.
LINKS:
Connect with Heather:
Book a Discovery Call with Dr Heather Finley and her team to start improving your digestive symptoms today.
Check out her fun Quiz - “Which Popular Song Describes Your Digestive Symptoms?"
Instagram: @drheatherfinley
Website: www.drheatherfinley.co
Connect with me:
Website: www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram: @paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today we're talking about team values and how having a value statement plays a critical part in building a high performing team.
It can be easy to think of mission or value statements as just words on a glossy brochure to present to customers. However, I run through what values actually are and how they become the backbone of the way things are done internally.
Whether you’re a small business owner or a large corporate, defining your guiding principles is vital and will really support your team to meet and exceed your highest expectations.
If you struggle to let go and delegate, you may need to get clear on what your values are, both personally and in business. What’s important to you? What words ring true for you? How do you want people to feel?
I talk about how blending these principles into a set of team values will give you the confidence to step away and trust the people you work with. I also give an example of how collaborating with your team is an effective way to collectively agree on how everyone is going to act.
I encourage you to dig deep and get clarification on your overarching principles so that in time, you see your team culture shift in a really positive way.
What tangible actions can you take to move towards building your high performing dream team?
LINKS:
Dream Team Discovery Call
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, I get personal and give you another behind the scenes look into how I run my business. Particularly, my process for re-hiring a key person and what my hiring mastery method is all about. As an example of my approach to recruitment, I talk through the recent re-hire of my new assistant.
Many of us are on a hiring journey, and frankly it can be a pretty emotional process that always seems to come at an inconvenient time. So today I share with you the 5 important recruitment lessons that I’ve learnt over the years.
When it comes to asking somebody to join you and buy into your vision, it’s vital to first know what’s important to you. What do you need? What are your must-haves and nice-to-haves? Knowing your hiring criteria and sticking to it is key in finding the right person to support you.
Looking at every new hire as an opportunity to elevate your leadership AND elevate the support you receive can also be a beautiful way to reset in your business. It can give you the chance to reflect on yourself as a leader and ask yourself important questions. What sort of leader do I want to be? How can I improve? How can I strive to reach the next level?
I dive into my beliefs around the importance of recruitment branding and how this can serve both you and those applying to work with you. I also share how I approach the handover process and how I hold responsibility for the training and induction phase.
If you’re going through the hiring process right now or experiencing the fear around it, today’s episode is for you. I hope the lessons I share will empower you to create the right systems so you can really back yourself and make the best decision you can for your business.
LINKS:
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today’s topic is leadership. In particular, what does a POWERFUL and GRACEFUL leader look like? How do you need to act and react to be both powerful and graceful? In this episode I talk about one of the big things I teach my clients, and that is how to step up into power as a CEO.
When I talk to my clients about stepping up as CEOs in their businesses, I teach them to lead in a way that feels authentic to them. I teach them that a leader can be both powerful and graceful at the same time. And most importantly, that leading in your integrity will help you grow the business of your dreams.
The balancing act of leading a team and trusting that they can support you can be a struggle, and I see this often with my clients. In this episode, I share 4 common leadership traits that prevent CEO’s in leading with authentic power and my thoughts on how to combat them.
In our society, ‘power’ can often have a negative connotation - it can suggest that you’re mean, dictating or domineering. However, by my definition, being powerful means you’re simply getting what you need done.
And getting what you need can be done gracefully. This means leading in a way that feels smooth, has synergy and where you experience a flow between you and your team.
POWERFUL and GRACEFUL can go hand-in-hand.
My hope is that today’s episode will get you thinking about your leadership style and what changes you can make to empower yourself as a strong, graceful and effective leader.
What is one step you can take today to elevate the way you’re leading your team in 2023?
LINKS:
Dream Team Discovery Call
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today’s episode is a little bit of a personal share, where I give you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s going on for me in my business. In particular, how I’m working through this really strong sense of feeling busy.
We know that business goes through lots of ebbs and flows - periods of hustle, periods of stabilisation and those wonderful bouts of growth. And then we reach those times where we need to work out our processes and review our foundations.
All of this can create a real sense of ‘busyness’, and while I believe being busy is just a phase, I also know that it’s not going to fix itself.
For me, hitting my highest level of business revenue was incredibly exciting. But it also made me feel the busiest I’ve ever felt, and reaching the goal of work/life balance felt pretty unachievable.
Today I share 3 specific questions I’m asking myself to reflect on this current state of busyness. If your diary is feeling jammed and you need more space to do the things you want to do, I urge you to ask yourself these questions too.
While I’m a work in progress, I’ve already found asking myself these questions about WHY I’m feeling busy to be really effective. The practical steps I’ve taken after these reflections have significantly reduced my feelings of being overwhelmed.
So, if you’re feeling busy and completely under the pump, I hope this episode both inspires and challenges you to take the time to dig a little deeper and uncover practical ways to help you feel more in control in your business.
LINKS:
2 Hour Strategy Sessions
Dream Team Discovery Call
Website:www.paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode I’m gifting you, as entrepreneurs and business owners, my top 5 tips to hire right this year. Consider this your cheat sheet to bypass the hiring hassles and nail your choice when it comes to hiring your first (or next) team member. For your business to truly thrive, it’s critical to get your team right.
So pop this episode on to find out -
- The importance of managing expectations - from the start!
- Why being specific is your best friend to ensure your team performs well
- How to learn to handover (and actually leave) when delegating tasks
- Why alignment must be part of the hiring equation and what you need to obtain it
- My bonus tip to really seal your hiring success
So regardless of what stage of your team building journey you’re at… this episode will give you the clarity and focus to ace your next hire - without the overwhelm and regret.
LINKS:
Want to explore working privately with me? Book a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call or dive straight into a 45 min Ask Me Anything session or for an extra deep dive select a 2 hour Action & Strategy PLanning Session or check out my self paced learning options via the Hiring & Interviewing Masterclass.
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
I’m thrilled to be speaking to my client and friend the incredible Dr Kristy Goodwin who is a digital wellbeing and productivity expert. Kristy helps you manage your digital distractions and take back control of your attention – one micro-habit at a time and what’s even better she doesn’t think we need to ditch social media or netflix binges in the process! (Thank goodness!)
This episode shares the top digital distractions all entrepreneurs are facing and practical suggestions for how we can implement digital boundaries, so you can feel less stressed, burnt out and kiss goodbye to the feeling of being ‘always on’.
Join us for this insightful, research backed discussion about our neurobiology and how you can stop letting your digital devices sabotage your success and instead support you to achieve your big goals for 2023 and beyond.
LINKS:
Where to find Kristy -
Website: https://drkristygoodwin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkristy/
Where to find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
It’s been 13 years since I dived into being an entrepreneur and hired my first team member. My journey since has been jam-packed full of lessons from my own experience and working with so many amazing clients doing brilliant things in their own businesses.
So I refreshed my earlier 11 lessons episode and am sharing my top 13 lessons on all things hiring, leadership, creating your dream team and general tips for being in business. From creating an ‘always improving’ culture to never underestimating the power of systems, I dive into the big lessons that have really made an impact on my life and business. I talk about using time wisely, the value of a great mentor, why specificity is the secret to success, and loads more.
If you’re ready to discover some nuggets of wisdom that you can take and apply to your business right now - regardless of where you’re at in your business journey, tune in!
LINKS:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Today’s episode is a recast of my super popular chat with the fabulous Melissa Froehlich. We discuss what to do when the operations side of your business feels heavy after the initial buzz of growing fades and overwhelm creeps in, as you're "too busy" juggling all the balls. So it's the perfect time of year to revisit this important conversation so you checkin and reset to avoid the heaviness in 2023.
Whether it’s because you’re still in the weeds of doing #allthethings or something about the way your team is working just doesn’t feel quite right, it’s something you need to address and eliminate ASAP!
Melissa is a business analyst, consultant and mindset coach, who shares how to untangle yourself from the heavy vibe that can come from managing all the operations in your business and how to find flow and alignment in your business.
Melissa’s background is in supporting business owners to run their operations (and give them their lives back!) and we chat about:
- The importance of good “operational hygiene” - what this actually means and how to check it in your business
- WTF the difference is between a VA, OBM, DOO and Integrator (you need to know this!) and who you should look to hire and when
- How understanding yourself as a leader informs the style of team you actually need and how critical this element is when it comes to the operational side of your business feeling smooth
This 30 minutes might be the best you spend on your business this month, as Melissa shares all the juicy tips to give you clarity in what’s causing the heaviness and how to banish it for good - in the right way for your business.
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
LINKS:
Where to find Melissa:
Instagram: melissafroehlich_biz Podcast: The Uplevel Lounge Podcast - melissafroehlich.com Facebook group: The Uplevel Lounge Website: https://melissafroehlich.com/
Where to find Paula:
Want to know your authentic leadership style and how blend it seamlessly when hiring and managing a team - click here to do my 2 minute Leadership Style Quiz
Leading a team well, innovating in business and getting the growth profit you desire, doesn’t come without the ability to look in the mirror and challenge yourself to be the best leader you can be - powerful and graceful as you lead your business and team.
So in today’s episode I share the common challenges my clients experienced last year and the lesson in each of them. Tune in to hear:
- How you might be contributing to your biggest challenges
- Why being clear and specific with your team is so integral to their success
- How to find the balance between your big visions and the finer details
- The importance of having the discipline to slow down for parts of the process as a leader
If you’re wanting to start the year as a powerful, graceful CEO and elevate both your business and team, pop this episode on now.
LINKS:
Paula talks about her Fundamentals of Leadership online self paced course - check it out here - https://paula-maidens.mykajabi.com/fundamentals-of-leadership
Or book a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call here -https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
As we settle into a new year, many entrepreneurs dream of finally creating a high performing, rockstar team to support them. Yet often hiring is left well past when it’s needed and rushed decisions are made - having far reaching impacts on their business. So in this episode I share the benefits of hiring strategically, and why hiring early provides the discipline needed to grow your business.
Tune in to learn:
- Why you and your business will never feel perfectly ready to hire
- How strategic hiring for what you need right now can elevate you to the next level
- The planning & action you need to take to set your business up to thrive in 2023
So as you’re spending time on your business goals for 2023, add this episode to your playlist for the hiring tips to creating your best business year yet.
LINKS:
Join my list - email hello@paulamaidens.com to be the first to hear about new ways we can work together in 2023
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
It’s that time of year when everyone is reflecting, planning and strategising. So I’m taking you behind the scenes of my own business and sharing my reflection process and framework, including what’s working, the wins and where the opportunities to improve may be. This checkin process is super helpful to ensure your dream business is facilitating your dream life!
Dive in to find out -
- Why it’s important to look at both your business and the personal side when reflecting on your year and creating goals for 2023
- How and why I changed my goal setting from solely numbers based to feelings based
- The lesson on the importance of prioritising investing in the little things that are often easy to overlook
- What I learnt about launching in 2022 that won’t be coming with me into 2023
If you’re ready to reflect on your own year in business and take those learnings into createing an epic 2023, tune in to my tried and tested framework and insights that I come back to every year. Enjoy.
LINKS:
If you know it’s time to learn the art of hiring so you can hire rockstars, check out Hiring Mastery and join the waitlist to be first to hear when it is next available for purchase -https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
Got questions? Book a free 45 Minute Discovery Call with Paula and set yourself to unwind the niggles and elevate both your business and team in 2023 -https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
At the end of the year, we all sit back and reflect on the year that has been. It’s the perfect time to set goals and intentions for the new year and your team is no exception. As a leader, you can guide your team into this reflection period with confidence and excitement in you and your business.
In this episode, I discuss how important it is to make your team members feel great about themselves and their work as they close out the year with you. I share the 5 key things you need to impart to your team before the holiday period so they are looking forward to returning in the new year.
From my experience, there is a very clear movement period in January to February that is linked to New Year's resolutions and setting new goals and intentions. You can use this opportunity to send your team into this reflection phase feeling committed, dedicated and positive about their work with you and your business.
By following these steps, you can set your team and yourself up for a successful 2023 and prevent any demotivation. You have the power to help your team feel acknowledged, appreciated, excited and rejuvenated to hit the ground running next year.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Every entrepreneur & CEO running a business wants to maximise their time and feel a sense of space and flow. So when the team you’ve hired to support this goal isn’t cutting it, you start to ask the question - is it worth it? So I’m diving into the 2 best ways to get your time back when you are running a business with a team and it’s feeling busy and chaotic.
To supercharge your team and get your time (and sanity!) back, dive in to find out:
- The top two tips to supercharging your team’s performance
- Why hiring great people isn’t enough to result in a powerful team
- How often only a few tweaks are needed to elevate your team’s performance
- How to avoid a mismatch between expectations and deliverables
- The importance of daily priorities that your team knows
So if you want to make impactful changes to empower your team and most importantly…. see tangible results & progress towards your big business goals, freeing you up to live the life of your dreams, pop this ep on and set yourself up for a calm and expansive 2023.
LINKS:
Download Paula’s new freebie - 5 ways to Supercharge your Team to get your time back and live the live of your dreams
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
When it comes to hiring a team member there are a lot of misconceptions around how to interview - what to say and importantly what not to say, how formal an interview should be and is it ok to use the same interview questions across all of your roles? So in this episode I’m going to separate the myths from reality and prepare you for rock solid interviewing.
If you’re planning to hire or simply want to be prepared for when you do, tune in as I debunk common interview myths -
- Can you run an effective interview without prepared questions
- Is it impossible to know if someone is lying
- The truth of if Interviewing is the same whether it’s corporate or your own business
Plus a few more! Dive in to find out fact from fiction when it comes to interviewing and set yourself up to make epic hiring decisions.
LINKS:
Want to nail your next interview and every one after that, leaving you to hire with total confidence? Check out my Interviewing Masterclass - https://paula-maidens.mykajabi.com/interviewing-workshop
Where to find Paula: Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode I chat with the amazing Dr. Krystal Connor, a life coach helping women ditch the status quo so they can thrive in business and life without stress, overwhelm and 24/7 hustle.We dive into how to live better, more fulfilling lives whilst chasing our big goals.
Listen in to hear -
- What living a 10/10 life means and is it really possible
- How to manage the juggle of business, kids, health, relationship & finances
- Why we might need to redefine what ‘having it all’ looks like
- What is self sabotage and how to know if you’re in your own way
- Why boundaries are so important and how to check in with yours
- Kyrstal’s top 3 tips for living a 10/10 life
So if living a 10/10 life is your goal, dive into this insightful, advice filled ep now.
LINKS:
Where to find Krystal -
Website: krystalconnor.com
Instagram: @drkrystalconnor
The Year of the Dangerous Woman Mastermind: https://www.krystalconner.com/dwmastermind
Where to find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, I chat with Tina Tower, an incredible 7 figure entrepreneur and business coach,, author, mum and happy wife! We go behind the scenes for a raw conversation about team. With Tina’s latest mission to help 100 women build million dollar businesses by 2025, this is one conversation not to be missed.
Dive in to hear:
- Why Tina believes “how you start is how you finish” & how it influences her business decision making
- The reason you should opt out when the joy is gone
- How healthy boundaries are critical with both your business and team
- Why as entrepreneurs wearing all the hats, some feel easier to take off than others
- Why you need to give people the chance to opt out before they opt in
- Tina’s current journey to expanding her team
So if going behind the scene into the thought processes and decision making for Tina’s current team expansion and the lessons from her previous businesses sounds invaluable - you’re right! Don’t waste time, tune in now.
LINKS:
You can find Tina Tower at the links below:
Instagram: @tina_tower Website: https://www.tinatower.com/ Podcast: Her Empire Builder
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
You’ve hired your support team and you can finally sit back and relax into your genius zone without all the interruptions. But wait, that’s not actually happening is it?! You’re still feeling interrupted and you’re wondering why your team isn’t just getting the job done. I hear this from clients all the time. So today, I’m diving into four possible ways you may accidentally be limiting your team’s potential - and as a result, messing with your space and flow, and theirs too.
Dive in to find out:
- Why you don’t want your team waiting on you to be able to do their work and how to avoid this
- The benefits of being disciplined and clear on what great outcomes look like, before handing over new tasks to your team
- How “shadowing” your team is detrimental to their success
- When not handing over decision making power and giving some authority, results in increased check ins and unnecessary delays .
If any of these are sounding true for you, tune in to hear how you can take steps to reset and realign how you’re working with your team, so limits are removed and both your team and your business can elevate!
LINKS:
Need help removing the limits you’re accidentally placing on your team? Books a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call and let’s get you back on track and in flow - https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
If listening to one entrepreneur and ex-corporate recruiter’s hiring tips is useful, let’s amplify the impact and try two! I chat with Mim Jenkinson, mother of two, planning-obsessed, multi-award-winning Business Mentor, Author, Podcaster and Course Creator, who I affectionately call the Digital Products Queen!
Mim has taught and coached over 3000 women and online business owners to plan and take action on their goals. Her expertise spans productivity, helpful habits, creating and scaling an online business that fits your busy life.
Dive in to hear Mim and I chat all things:
- Why hiring before your business is ready can be dangerous
- The need to explore how it feels to handover tasks and clarify what success looks like
- Why there is no right or wrong for what your support system looks like
- The importance of avoiding a “one size fits all” cookie cutter approach to hiring and business
- Mim’s top tips to juggling motherhood & business
Pop this ep on your must listen list if you’re doing the business balance juggle and want to regain focus and clarity, outside of all the noise in the online business coaching space. You won’t regret it.
LINKS:
Where to find Mim:
Instagram: @lovefrommim Website: www.mimjenkinson.com Podcast:The Planner Podcast
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
We all want effective, high performing teams working in our business. So I’m taking you behind the scenes on the framework for my powerful team coaching, so you can get a sense of what might be missing in your team, especially if they are not feeling awesome right now.
So tune in to learn about my 6 Pillars to Building Awesome Teams and find out:
- Why the starting point is always you & how authentic leadership is essential
- The need for getting crystal clear re your expectations of each team member and knowing what a great job looks like
- How to implement team meetings and correcting conversations to remove communication obstacles
- Why “this is the way we like to do things here” is essential for a business to thrive with both systems and culture
- The importance of regular reviews if you have the right people in the right roles
So if you’re in need of some ideas and direction to make your team more effective and for you to feel more supported by a team who deliver what you need them to - dive in!
LINKS:
If you are sitting there and your team is feeling heavy. You WISH they were doing more, producing moire, working better, making your life EASIER then I want to invite you to reach out to me and book in a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call.
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
As an entrepreneur & CEO the idea of hiring a friend may seem like the perfect solution to your need for instant business support from someone you trust. We’ve all fantasised about the potential fun to be had - office chats, bestie lunch breaks and post work margs - but is it really as idyllic as it sounds? Dive into today’s episode for the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to hiring friends to support your business.
In this episode I share:
- Why assumptions are the devil when it comes to hiring your dream team, especially with friends
- How the quick option of hiring someone you know seems like the safe, sure solution but often it isn’t
- The process you need to ensure your business and your friendship with your bestie stays intact
- Real life examples of how and why things get ugly when friends are hired without the right considerations
So if you’re thinking about hiring a friend - stop - and listen to this ep first. You’ll be thanking me later for ensuring you avoid the pitfalls that have the potential to derail your business and your friendships too.
LINKS:
Keen to learn Paula’s powerful hiring process to ensure you create the rockstar team you deserve (potentially with friends included!) - then check out Hiring Mastery - it’s just started and if you’re quick you can join for the final time in 2022. Uplevel your business now for the perfect start to 2023 -
Hiring Mastery - https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode I share the reason most people get hiring wrong and how you can ensure as a CEO and entrepreneur that you don’t. So if you’ve found yourself asking “where are all the good people hiding”, made some less than amazing hires or you’re simply too scared or unsure where to start with hiring, this episode’s for you.
Tune in to find out:
- Why thinking externally not internally when it comes to hiring is the biggest error you can make
- The importance of hiring in a strategic way with clarity
- Why making emotional hiring decisions is a recipe for disaster
- What rockstar team members are looking for in an employer
So let’s avoid the obstacles and potential errors and get you on the fast track to a hiring process that results in success - allowing you the space and freedom to focus on your business goals, not spending hours on team maintenance and repairs.
LINKS:
Hiring Mastery -
I teach the process of how to get crystal clear on your leadership style, your preferences and the specifics of the role you are hiring and the team you want to create - in my programHiring Mastery - which kicks off on the 10th October. Doors are open right now and we close them on Friday the 7th October, 2022… so if you want to dive deep and learn my full process check it out.
Your can find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode I share the secret to avoiding difficult conversations with your team. As a business entrepreneur and CEO managing a team, those awkward conversations often feel inevitable and like a thorn in your side, whether you have one person or twenty supporting you - yet it is possible to avoid them. So if you have frustrations or resentment building about how someone on your team is performing, this episode is for you.
Dive in to find out -
- Why it’s imperative to get clear on what you want done and how you want it done prior to hiring
- How a robust hiring and onboarding process are the critical pieces that impact whether you’ll be having difficult conversations or less intimidating, simple course correcting chats
- The benefits of considering what a team member might do that would annoy you, before they do it and hiring accordingly
As entrepreneurs you would have heard it before - but how you start is often how you end. So jump into this episode now to ensure you learn how to avoid the difficult convos with your team.
LINKS:
If you know the time is now to learn how to hire right, click the link to learn more about Paula’s Hiring Mastery program and jump in while earlybird pricing is still available!
https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
As entrepreneurs and CEOs we all want to hire A-Players. However, so many people simply accept the status quo, always waiting for a ‘better time’ to hire. Usually this happens in one of two ways - continuing to manage the workload yourself because it seems like the simple option or bringing on support in an ad hoc way and crossing your fingers. So in today’s episode, I’m cutting through these limiting stories and sharing why they might be costing you.
Dive in to hear:
- The reality of doing it all yourself is not sustainable and band-aid solutions don’t fix anything
- How your belief that hiring is difficult is actually costing you and your business
- Why the best time to learn how to hire well is before you need it
So if you know hiring is in your future, or if you’re already long overdue and you’re craving finally getting some space and time back - this episode will help shift your thinking re the risks and costs to both your business and yourself by not investing in learning how to make great hiring decisions. As the saying goes…learn it once, execute it many times. The time is now - jump in.
LINKS:
If you know it’s time to learn the art of hiring so you can hire rockstars, check out Hiring Mastery - starts again in October 2022
https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
Got questions? Book a free 15 Minute Call into Paula’s diary to chat about Hiring Mastery
https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/hiring-mastery-discovery-call
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
When growing a team I often see people making fast hiring decisions to #getitdone, yet it often results in emotional or accidental hiring decisions that ultimately don’t work out or cause a lot of turmoil along the way. So in today’s episode I discuss the difference between making a strategic hiring decision versus emotional or accidental ones.
Tune in to hear -
- What emotional and accidental hiring decisions look like
- The 2 critical components needed to make Strategic Hiring Decisions
- Why strategic hiring doesn’t necessarily mean slow, drawn out processes
- How objective hiring lists are your hiring support system
Once you can identify the differences between emotional, accidental and strategic hiring decisions, you create a space and clarity that sets you up to scale and elevate your business without the hiring heartache. Enjoy!
LINKS:
If you are listening to this now in September 2022 then get on the waitlist as we are going to run our next round very soon and you want to be in the room!
Join the Waitlist >> http://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
You can find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
As an entrepreneur you want to show up as a powerful, graceful leader who gets what you need done and inspires your team to do it in a way you both feel great about. However, often it’s easy to overlook how our beliefs and intentions influence how we operate in our role as leaders.
So dive in to find out -
- Why you need to get clear on your intention before doing any critical part of your role as leader
- How your beliefs might be sabotaging your team
- When and how to implement the checks needed to lead a team that thrives
Your beliefs and intentions show up in your hiring, delegating, rewarding, acknowledging, performance and communication - so it’s pretty essential you check in and ensure they are working for you, not against you. Tune in now to dial up your leadership and your team’s productivity in no time.
LINKS:
If you want to dive deeper into your own Leadership Style click the link to complete Paula’s quick 3 min quiz with comprehensive results!https://paulamaidens.com/quiz/
Or if you want to chat about how Paula can help you get your team back on track, book a FREE Dream Team Discovery Call -https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-callYou can also connect with Paula via -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
If you’re a CEO or entrepreneur who is building your team and scaling your business, then this episode shares the kind of behind the scenes insight that is priceless. I chat with 7 figure entrepreneur, Sarah Parkinson, who has not only scaled her business from 9 to 22 team members, but also acquired two new businesses within the last 12 months. With three young children, Sarah loves that she has built a systemised cloud business giving her the flexibility to be there for her family and kick business goals at the same time.
Tune in to hear:
- The importance of clarity to minimise mistakes and effectively lead your team
- Why boundaries are essential, but require robust systems to support them
- How to lean into the discomfort of leading a larger team for a more seamless integration
- When to detach from doing everything and how to
- Sarah’s Top 3 lessons from growing her team and scaling her business
So if you’re busy navigating building your team as you scale your business, this episode offers all the juicy details so you can benefit from Sarah’s experience and minimise possible pitfalls for yourself. Dive in for all the wisdom now!
LINKS:
To find Sarah -
Website: https://diversebc.com.au/
Instagram: @diverse_bookkeeping
To find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
If you currently feel disappointed or frustrated with the way someone on your team - maybe your whole team - are performing, this episode is for you. I dive into the 4 different styles of management - and how and when you should shift in between these styles to bring out the best in each individual on your team.
So tune in to find out -
- The four management styles & how to know which one you use
- How each style impacts the results you get from your team
- Why you may need to use different styles at different times and for different people
As you know, hiring great people is critical, however knowing how to lead them well is the other essential piece to having the rockstar team that feels fabulous and you know you deserve. So if it’s time to learn how to lead people to ultimately do what you want them to do - in the way you want them to do it, start here by finding out the four management styles and which one you currently use. Enjoy.
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
If you’re feeling like your management style could do with a little support - reach out to Paula below or book in for a free 45 minute discovery call to explore how Paula can help you and your management style to get your team back on track fast -
https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s ep, I welcome back 7 fig business coach, Jazze Jervis to riff on all things investing in team, balancing profitability and why business is not one size fits all. Jazze believes we are here to take up space and not be confined by the boxes society can put us in and wants to empower more women to lead lives they not only desire, but deserve.
This is a must listen ep, so tune in to hear us chat on:
- The balance between investing in team, paying yourself, profitability and feeling abundant
- How to shift your perspective on profit and create a sustainable business
- The benefits of leaning into what it would feel like to not be doing all the things
- Learning to accept one size doesn’t fit all in business and how this is a disservice to you
- The importance of having a willingness to explore options and give yourself permission to pivot
- Why you need to build a business that doesn’t rely on you
- How to drop all the “shoulds” and connect back into how things feel
So if you’re in need of a megadose of business truthbombs that will elevate your awareness and shift you into greater alignment, make listening to this ep a priority today.
LINKS:
Listen to Jazze’s previous BDGT podcast epHow to work only 10 hours a week and grow a 7 figure businesshere
Connect with Jazze -
Website: Jazze Jervis.
Instagram: @jazzejervis_
Podcast: All The Jazze
Connect with Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
You’ve taken the plunge, made the decision to hire and posted your job ad. The anticipation for adding support and scaling your biz is high. You check the ad multiple times a day, excited to see who applies. Yet…you’re getting crickets. If this sounds familiar, you have no doubt asked “where are all the awesome people hiding” or “how do I get people to see my ad and apply?” Never fear, this episode will answer those questions and more.
I dive into the 2 key elements you need for job ad success plus -
- How to write your job advert so it doesn’t suck and attracts your next rockstar
- Why where you advertise isn’t as simple as heading straight to Seek
- The finer details you may be overlooking that are the difference between getting the awesome applicants without the time wasters.
So let’s say goodbye to boring job ads that leave your inbox empty and say hello to ad success that entices the right applicants, who can’t wait to work with you. Don’t waste any more time on the wrong ads, dive in now to skill yourself up and nail your next ad.
LINKS:
If extra support nailing your next hire and perfecting the job advert sounds like just what you need, book a free Dream Team Discovery Call to see how I can help. Click the link here to book.
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
As a busy entrepreneur, you’ve done #alltherightthings, hired support and yet it’s still feeling hard. It can leave you asking “is it me or them?” This is such a common question I hear all the time, so you’re not alone. In today’s episode I dive into the details of whether it is hard or if it’s simply normal and if so, what can you do about it.
So if your team isn’t feeling like it’s operating the way it should, tune in to hear -
- The typical reasons running a business with a team can feel hard
- How to uncover whether you may be contributing to the problem, or not
- What to do to shift from feeling like it’s hard to an effortless team flow
So don’t sit there wondering if it’s all worth it, listen in to hear my tips that will have you feeling back on track with your team in no time.
LINKS:
If you feel like your team needs a little extra support, book a free Dream Team Discovery Call with Paula, or for more information on all of Paula’s offerings, head to her website at https://paulamaidens.com/
You can also find Paula:
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode I go behind the scenes of my own hiring experiences from my time in business and as a leader in corporate, to share 4 big hiring lessons from my best and worst hires. These lessons will support you on your own entrepreneurial journey of learning how to hire great people who feel great to you.
Listen in to hear -
- The importance of running your recruitment process from start to finish, even if you think you’ve found “the one”
- Why you shouldn’t be afraid of hiring someone with potential
- How clarity around your hiring criteria is essential to check applicants on must haves, nice to haves and avoid at all costs
- What the potential complications are of stretching your budget on a hire and when this should be avoided
- Why every applicant’s interview should be completed in full (even if you think they’re the wrong fit)
Learning to hire well is no mean feat so tune in to hear my tips so you can get strategic, prepared and arm yourself to make great decisions for your business.
LINKS:
Your can find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In this episode I answer the two most common questions I am asked - when is the right time to hire and how to hire well for success. So as business entrepreneurs, this short, powerful ep will answer these questions so you can avoid procrastinating on moving your business forward and avoid experiencing potential disasters from hiring too late.
Tune in to find out:
- The distinction between rushing to hire and hiring quickly
- Why replicating what others have done is a formula for disaster, regardless of how successful they look to you
- How getting specific on what a successful hire looks like, is key to avoiding generic hires with generic results - leaving you dissatisfied or worse, having to start the process again
So fast track your hiring process and see success quicker with these powerful tips. Enjoy.
LINKS:Book a 45 min free Dream Team Discovery Call with Paula to elevate your hiring process or team - here
Your can find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Life might be easier if it came with a manual outlining the pitfalls to avoid and importantly, how to avoid them - and it’s absolutely no different in business. We would all love the insider secrets - especially when it comes to hiring and managing teams. So consider this episode your cheat’s guide to the most common mistakes made with teams and how you can absolutely be savvy enough to avoid them.
Dive in to hear -
- Why it’s important to take a considered approach when hiring, not an anything will do quick fix “bandaid”
- How clarity will be your best friend when hiring and working with your team
- Why teams thrive and your business elevates with systems and processes
- How to make having high expectations work for you, not against
- The critical skill of knowing when to hold on and when to let go
This time efficient, yet power packed episode will give you the insight needed to bypass the headaches and problems and get back to enjoying the process. It might just be the best 20 minutes you spend on your business this week.
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
If you’ve found yourself dealing with the consequences of some of these pitfalls and are not sure how to dig yourself out - reach out to Paula below or book in for a free 45 minute discovery call to explore how Paula can help you and your team get back on track fast -
https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
As CEOs and entrepreneurs building and scaling businesses, you’re familiar with the wild rollercoaster the journey can be. So you don’t need extra drama, especially when it comes to managing your team. However, as you’re only human (and so is your team) it naturally comes with emotion - often a lot of it.
So in today’s quick, powerful ep, I chat all things emotions when it comes to working with our team. Because if we can both master and minimise the emotional hurdles, everything else becomes a lot calmer and easier to navigate.
Tune in to hear -
- The importance of having boundaries with our team (no, you’re not their Mother!)
- How to have conversations without all the emotion
- Why you need to depersonalise your language for less drama and big impact
If you’re tired feeling like your nervous system hits overdrive every time there’s a knock on your office door or a notification pops up from your team…this episode is for you. It’s time to reset your nervous system and learn to navigate your team’s (and your) emotions from a place of solutions focused objectivity - drama free.
Where to find Paula:
If you’re interested in learning the language of leadership, reach out to Paula or book in for a free 45min discovery call to explore how Paula can help you and your team -
https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
The third anniversary of my dear Dad passing away is coming up in August. As it approaches, I’m finding myself spending lots of time remembering the crazy, challenging period that led up to his death and frankly, how I managed to cope with business and life at the time.
So this episode is a very raw personal share about how my 2 x businesses were managed during that 12 month period when I had to step away.
I explain with lots of details for each business exactly what team was in place, what existed around that team and how we and they functioned through that time, plus what worked and what didn’t work.
Dive in to hear this heartfelt share from Paula and find out:
- What you need to know to set your business up to succeed so you can step away - with or without notice
- The importance of systems and processes for both you and your team when challenging times show up
- Why clarity around your team’s roles and responsibilities is essential
- How quarterly business plans support you when you are suddenly unavailable
Challenging times rarely appear with advance warning. So don’t wait to test if you have a sustainable business when everything hits the fan - tune in and set yourself, your team and your business up to thrive, regardless of what is around the corner.
LINKS:
Your can find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Recently I was calculating how many people I’ve interviewed over the last (ahem!) 17 years and it’s close to 3000!
So in this episode I’m opening up my ‘recruitment diaries’ and sharing my most interesting, wacky, surprising, weird, funny experiences and the hiring and business lessons I have learned along the way, that have shaped my signature hiring process I now teach.
Listen in to hear:
- About that time someone ran out the door when we tried to test his technical knowledge
- The time I was surprised and hired someone whose first impressions left me wondering
- Why & how I ended up in a very fast car racing down the motorway in Russia and what we can learn from that situation!
- The importance of discerning between those good at interviewing and those right for the job
- How a hiring process is necessary to avoid making costly hiring mistakes
This episode is jam packed with practical hiring lessons you can implement straight away and you’ll get a giggle as I re-tell some fun stories from my recruitment diaries.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
If you’d like to learn my signature hiring process - jump on the waitlist to Hiring Mastery. The next round starts in September - so add yourself to the waitlist and be the first to access the early bird bonuses.
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
We’ve all dreamt about it. Hiring that fabulous unicorn who can do #allthethings in our business. A seemingly instant solution to all the pieces you’re trying to juggle and fit together. A fast track to business growth without the issues. Ok, let’s cut back to reality from that impossible fantasy. #Truthbomb - Unicorn team members don’t exist. And in today’s episode I’m going to tell you why and how by avoiding the unicorn dream you will people-proof your business and elevate at the same time.
In this episode I share:
- Why hiring a unicorn (if you can actually find one) is super high risk for your business
- The pitfalls of relying on one person and how you need to people proof instead
- How hiring average but feel good fit is the real secret
- The importance of knowing your hiring criteria and matching it to create a successful and sustainable business
If you want real expansion without the high risk fantasy, it’s time to build a team with rock solid systems - so tune in to this ep for a dose of no bs truth that will eliminate the heartache and elevate the average into an angelic team that thrives. Thank me later.
LINKS:
Reach out if you’re interested in Paula’s brand new Optimise Group Coaching Program (starting July 2022) - this container will work on optimising the way your team functions. Think simple systems and small tweaks to your communication so that you and your team are feeling even more in flow. Let’s optimise your team together.
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Scaling fast to 7 figures and finding the TEAM part tricky?
Yes? That’s good! Because although it’s not fun, IT IS totally normal.
So why does it feel so messy?
Because when you are scaling from a multiple 6-figure business to a 7-figure business you have more people doing more resulting in a transitional shift from your business relying heavily on you >>> to one that is more reliant on systems and TEAM.
This period feels messy, frustrating, uncomfortable and at times, it may not feel like the growth you are seeking is ‘worth it anymore!’
Hang in there, because the space, freedom and joy of watching your operations flow without you is just around the corner! There are however, a few things you need to change about what YOU are doing as the leader and CEO, to help your team and business make this transition successfully.
Tune in to learn:
- The key differences between leading a TEAM at the 6 versus 7 figure level
- How holding onto your old ways can sabotage the success of new team members
- What you need to let go of and what you need to focus on
- How to empower and trust your team to run the operations without as much reliance on you
Dive in to find out how you may be accidentally contributing to your team challenges and the actions you can take immediately to help your team get into a flow that makes it feel easier for you both... ASAP.
Links:
Discovery Call to explore working with Paula
https://bookme.name/PaulaMaidensConsulting/45-minute-discovery-call
Savvy CEO Secrets Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/savvyceosecrets/
Instagram Post referenced in the podcast
https://www.instagram.com/p/CduQ1rMpBkE/
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
If the idea of more peace, pleasure and ease on your entrepreneurial journey is appealing, then today’s episode is for you. I chat with the fabulous Ana Kinkela, a somatic business mentor and energetic alchemist for driven, visionary women. Ana supports women to heal the receiving wound with money and guides them to expand with nervous system business growth.
Ana shares her wisdom with us today re all things nervous system, receiving wound and how these have a significant impact on us as entrepreneurs. Listen in to hear -
- How to create strategies for your business in a way that is right for you
- How to know if you should push through resistance or pause and review whether a strategy feels good to you
- What is a receiving wound and how do you know if it’s blocked
- Why many entrepreneurs have money stories attached to the idea that to you have to work hard to get it
- Why working with your nervous system isn’t self-care and how it’s so integral to the success and growth you desire
So if it’s time to give your nervous system the love it deserves, tune in for all of Ana’s wisdom.
LINKS:
You can find Ana Kinkela and check out her new program Nectar, that supports women to heal the receiving wound with money.
Instagram:@iamanakinkela
Website: www.anakinkela.com
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
There’s lots of twists and turns on the entrepreneurial journey, however one super relatable experience is having all the feels and frustrations and doubts as a leader. Your business is established and growing, yet you find yourself feeling like you did at the beginning, with all the doubts creeping back in.
So today I share why these doubts are totally normal and how moving from a place of frustration and furiosity to curiosity about these feelings, allows you the space to resolve them effectively and expand yourself as a leader.
In this short, powerful ep I share -
- The importance of understanding your leadership style, what triggers you and why
- Why giving yourself permission to feel it all is the critical piece
- How to dive deep under the feelings and peel back the layers to get to the core issue
So if you’re ready to turn doubts into decisions and maintain your flow as an epic CEO, this episode’s for you!
LINKS:
If you want to dive deeper into your own Leadership Style and how this impacts who you should or shouldn’t be hiring, click the link to complete Paula’s quick 3 min quiz with comprehensive results! https://paulamaidens.com/quiz/
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode I chat with Kelsea Koenreich, an author, speaker, Mom of 3, coach and multi-business entrepreneur who specialises in helping women scale their businesses by becoming who they are meant to be. A self described Freedom Facilitator and Breakthrough Cultivator, Kelsea shares so much wisdom for how to juggle life and business while maintaining your sanity.
We dive into how to make peace with the inevitable emotional waves of building a business and why this is so important to your ultimate success. Listen in to hear -
- How to strategically build freedom into your biz and the importance of carving you own path
- Why fear is the number one challenge for female entrepreneurs
- The importance of normalising to neutralise when it comes to the emotional waves of running a business
- The impact of people pleasing and perfectionism when leading a team
- How to balance being a high performer who thrives off pressure, whilst not ignoring your emotions when the pressure is too much
So if you know it’s time for your business to feel really good and you’re ready to peel back the layers to get there, then you need Kelsea’s tips in this episode!
LINKS:
Where to find Kelsea -
Website: https://kelseakoenreich.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseakoenreich/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelseamariekoenreich/
Where to find Paula -
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
If you’re an entrepreneur scaling from 6 to 7 figures (and beyond), feeling like it’s suddenly all hard work, hair pulling and hustle again…I have a new mantra for you! ’What got you here, won’t get you there.’
In this episode, I chat about the predicament many entrepreneurs face as they scale and how to use the uncomfortable feelings as fuel to master the key elements of successful 7 figure teams - hiring the right people and leading them well.
Listen in to find out:
- The balance needed between hiring the right people and leading them well and how these elements operate in tandem
- How to banish your limiting beliefs for a smoother transition (yes, that often requires an honest look in the mirror until you like what you see! #leader)
- Why you can’t (and don’t want to) outsource leadership
- The no BS examples of what is and isn’t great leadership and how this impacts your A Team
- What’s needed to establish the systems, structure and delegation that’s integral to rise
So, if you feel you’ve hit an impasse on your business scaling journey, this episode will point you in the right direction to create a leadership framework unique to you, allowing both you and your team to thrive - because as your favourite new mantra says….’What got you here, won't get you there!’
LINKS:
If you need some help getting back into flow with your business & team, book a free Dream Team Discovery Call Linkhere
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
It’s agreed life has two certainties - death and taxes. I would like to add a third - difficult conversations. As business entrepreneurs and CEOs managing teams, having difficult conversations with your team is a question of if not now, when? How you handle these difficult conversations is critical to both your business and team thriving.
So let’s park the avoidance and download today’s episode as a priority. I chat all things how to manage difficult conversations with your employees - both when you need to have one and also, when you are on the receiving end of difficult feedback from your team.
If you find yourself avoiding or catastrophising having difficult conversations, then listen in for:
- The simple mindset shift that allows you to have difficult conversations without the emotion
- How to give and receive feedback in a powerful way
- The 3 factors to consider always - preparation, planning, and the impact of the pause, and why!
So if it’s time for you to step into your power as an entrepreneur and push your ego (yes, it’s totally involved here!) to the side so you and your team can communicate without the drama, pop this episode on and thank me later!
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Leadership Mastery, Paula’s new group coaching container launches this month. So if all things leadership and building awesome teams sounds like the piece you’re missing, jump on the waitlist by emailing hello@paulamaidens.com - this is a small intimate group, so places will go fast!
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Who doesn’t love a little business behind the scenes? As business owners and entrepreneurs, the lessons and insights available from other CEOs’ journeys are priceless. So I’m chatting with my client, Kelly McHugh, CEO of Digital Yoga Academy about the lessons gained from her recent business restructure, hiring process and the all important benefits of gaining clarity and confidence.
If your business has you feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the small details and unsure what the best solution is to move forward, take a listen to Kelly’s insights to find out -
- The importance of knowing yourselfand your leadership style to lay the best foundation in your business
- How to recognise the distinction between having helpers #dothethings and making strategic hires and the undeniable impact
- Kelly’s three key takeaways as she moved from overwhelm to clarity and confidence
So what are you waiting for - don’t stay stuck! Enjoy this BTS look into Kelly’s process of working with me and take the learnings to readily apply to your own biz!
LINKS:
You can find Kelly:
Website: https://digitalyogaacademy.com/
Instagram: @digitalyogaacademy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalyogaacademy
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In today’s episode, I chat with Becky Brunner, a team culture strategist who works with business owners to create a strong team culture resulting in happy, positive and connected teams - beyond just “work”.
As entrepreneurs and CEOs we all wish for motivated, positive and productive teams, so Becky shares her insights, enabling you to avoid those awkward conversations, misunderstandings and team frustrations.
In this episode, we chat about:
- What team culture is and when you need to focus on it
- The 3 pillars of team culture - connection, communication and collaboration
- How to spot the signs your team culture needs a little (or a lot of) loving
- Why you need to nurture and relate to your team on a personal level as well as a work one
- The 3 tips to build a positive team culture at any time
What are you waiting for?
Listen now to fasttrack your way to building a strong team culture without the avoidable pitfalls none of us have time for!
LINKS:
You can find Becky Brunner at the links below and don’t miss her upcomingCulture Training for Service Providers session on April 26 2022 at 12pm CST - click here for more info.
Plus, to access Becky’s 30-days worth of Free Team Connection Prompts, clickhere.
Instagram: @choosehappyassisting Website: https://choosehappyassisting.com/
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today’s episode is a super real, raw and revealing chat with the amazing Amy Taylor-Kabbaz - Mama, Best-Selling Author, Journalist and Matrescence Activist. If anyone understands and can provide insight into the juggle between business, motherhood and our identity as women, it’s Amy!
In this episode we chat about:
- Matrescence - the transition to becoming a mother - and how it impacts us as women and entrepreneurs leading businesses
- The process Amy went through to rediscover her identity after birth and making peace with the changes that resulted
- Why understanding and harnessing the difference between mother energy and mentor energy will better serve both your business & your team
- Amy’s top tips for balancing motherhood, business and life without the overwhelm, exhaustion and all out depletion (hint - it starts with knowing yourself!)
There are so many insightful aha moments in this episode, as Amy shares her journey to successful feminine leadership and motherhood. Add this one to your calendar as there really are no excuses to miss the wisdom shared.
LINKS:
You can find Amy at the links below, plus check out Mama Rising, for coaching and support in matrescence and balancing business.
Website -https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/
Instagram - @amytaylorkabbaz
Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/amytaylorkabbaz
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
My guest today is Charissa Lim a Certified Behavioural Consultant and DISC advocate who’s passionate about helping businesses gain first-hand insights into people's behavioural traits through one of the world's most popular personality profiling tools, DISC.
She's on a mission to save savvy entrepreneurs time and money and this episode is a must listen if you’re considering hiring or have some niggles about how your team is aligning.
The solution to your team culture challenges or hiring mistakes may lie in the lack of understanding about each other and this is where DISC profiling can come in. DISC allows you discover how different behaviour traits work best with each other and can be a powerful workplace tool.
In this episode we chat about:
- What the DISC profiling tool is and the benefits diving straight into finding out about a person’s behaviour traits
- How this knowledge can inform your hiring decisions - but why it shouldn’t be used exclusively
- Why it’s a super valuable tool to use to improve existing team culture
- How it provides a safe space to discuss otherwise emotionally charged topics within your team
LINKS:
You can find Charissa at the links below, plus don’t miss her fabulous current offer of a complimentary DISC assessment to all businesses - simply contact Charissa to chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactpersona
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charissalim/
Website: www.impactpersona.com.au
You can find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
When you’re in the fog of doing #allthethings in your business, I’m sure it’s crossed your mind that a little look and insight into the future would be useful. A kind of cheat sheet and motivator combined! #priceless Well consider your prayers answered!
In today’s episode I chat about the 5 stages of team growth and how you can focus with laser vision to escape the sh%t show (aka #nofreetime #doingallthethings) and enter CEO flow with ease and a side serve of grace. Team has been and always will be the key piece you need to nail to really cement a business that thrives - with or without you. Because those vacays ordering poolside drinks won’t happen without a rock solid team to support you.
So pop this episode on to find out -
- The 5 stages of team every business goes through & how to identify where you’re currently at
- Why it’s critical as the business owner that YOU take responsibility and consciously create your dream team
- The importance of distinguishing between what you’re doing and what you actually should be doing and how this impacts your team
- My tip to manage the resistance you will absolutely feel as you transition between each phase
So regardless of what stage of your business journey you find yourself today… this episode will allow you to take stock and assess where you’ve been, what’s next and what you should focus on - minus the overwhelm and regret. You’ll be calling “another drink, please” to the poolboy in no time! : )
LINKS:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s how viable remote work actually is! Nothing like a crisis to shake up the corporate mentality and bump flexible work arrangements to the top of the ‘must do’ list.
In today’s episode I chat with Jo Palmer from Pointer Remote - a business born out of the idea that there was an untapped pool of talent in rural areas waiting to be accessed and which has now grown to offer job opportunities and talent for remote positions everywhere.
Jo shares with us:
- The seismic shift in mindset that has occurred in relation to remote work over the last two years and why this is positive for everyone
- How building a remote culture is the difference between surviving and thriving with a remote work model
- Why a “remote first” attitude is essential to position yourself as an employer of choice
- The need for self awareness & communication to ensure your business thrives with remote team members
Add this ep to your list if you’re in the middle of trying to get the balance right with your remote team or considering it as an option so you can tap into the enormous talent waiting outside your location! It’s not to be missed.
LINKS:
Where to find Jo:
Pointer Remote Courses - https://pointerremote.thinkific.com/
Instagram: @pointerremote
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jopalmerpointer
Website: https://pointerremote.com/
Learn more about the Paula’s Fundamentals of Leadership course and join now here -
https://paula-maidens.mykajabi.com/fundamentals-of-leadership
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
On this week’s episode I have the incredible pleasure of interviewing my client Georgia Harding to share the behind the scenes of her recent hiring experience, hiring that oh-so critical role in a business, an Operations Manager.
Georgia is the founder of Well Nourished, a business that provides healthy and delicious food recipes via a membership site, ebooks and thriving community.
She’s also a very capable human being and as an entrepreneur she’s used to being the driving force behind her business. With big goals for 2022 she knew she needed to expand and change her team to take on more responsibility allowing her to release the reins of the operations side of her business.
This is a true behind the scenes conversation where Georgia shares not only what she did but also how she felt throughout her recent hiring experience and team changes and I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to all the big feelings that come up when we are facing something that feels hard and uncomfortable.
Listen in to hear how Georgia went from feeling ‘dread’ to excited…well before she’d even found her person and all the details in between that landed Georgia her latest rockstar into her team.
Oh and if you aren’t following Georgia.. You absolutely should! Her business and her team are all amazing.
LINKS:
Website:https://wellnourished.com.au
Instagram:@wellnourished
Facebook: @WellNourishedAU
You know the feeling. That instant, pit in the stomach reaction you have. You see the mistake. The project is late for the second time. A design concept isn’t executed to the brief. Simple processes are not followed.
And you get that BIG feeling. Dread. Frustration. Annoyance.
Feel familiar?
I bet it does!
In today’s episode I chat about the #1 mistake I see entrepreneurs making when it comes to their team. And it relates to those feelings you get when you see mistakes being made. And how those feelings of disappointment can quickly overwhelm you and have the power to completely derail your strategic focus. If you don’t know what to do with them.
In this episode I share:
- Why these feelings happen & why they are completely normal
- How your hiring process impacts those feelings and your reactions
- The one big thing you need to learn to do to move from furiosity to curiosity (and how it will totally change your relationship with your team)
- The oh so simple strategy to ground yourself, moving out of reactive mode and into powerful strategic CEO mode
So if you’re ready to banish feeling like every mistake is personal (goodbye ego, hello self aware boss!) and totally maintain your CEO focus - this short, sharp ep will benefit you and your team - listen now!
LINKS:
Join Paula’s brand new Hire Smarter Challenge (starting March 8th, 2022) for free - it’s 3 days and 3 ways to make your next hire a dream team one! (Limited time replays will be available if you can’t join us live!)
Learn more about the challenge and join now here -
https://paulamaidens.com/hiresmarter
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
We all want the dream - dream life, dream relationship, dream biz. And yes, that includes the dream team to go with it - cos truth be told it isn’t a dream biz without a dream team!
In today’s episode I’m going to let you in on a secret. That unicorn team member you dream of? The one you wonder if they even exist. I’m sharing the simple mindset tip you need to ensure you get out of your own way and create the dream biz with the dream team (*unicorn team member included) that you so deserve.
I share with you:
- Why anyone that tells you an amazing unicorn team member ISN’T out there waiting for you… is wrong
- Why all the reasons why you think you should wait are actually the exact reasons you shouldn’t
- One key mindset shift that you can make to help make your dream team possible
- The simple step you can take right now to start to shift into the role of a powerful graceful CEO who is supported by her dream team.
So if you have had enough of the hustle and grind and want the free pass to get you your dream team…this ep’s for you!
LINKS:
Paula talks about her brand new Hire Smarter Challenge (starting March 8th, 2022) & how you can join for free - it’s 3 days and 3 ways to make your next hire a dream team one!
Learn more about the challenge and join now here
https://paulamaidens.com/hiresmarter
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
In the spirit of today’s episode, let’s get straight to it. Scaling from 6 to 7 figures is hard and it’s normal to hit a plateau.
The reason you hit resistance is because the hustle that got you to 6 figures… that ‘foundational’ stage simply isn’t what you need to KEEP doing to continue to grow.
The reality is that growth from 6 to 7 figures brings a new and often, unexpected set of challenges.
In today’s episode I’m sharing the key mindset shifts to get you out of hustle mode and into 7 figure entrepreneur and CEO mode making the quantum leap from your old business to your new business, finally possible.
This episode covers:
- The 3 key areas you need to focus on to scale to 7 figures and beyond (without the hustle!)
- Why most entrepreneurs hit a revenue plateau once they’ve cleared 6 figures
- The key element of growth most business coaches and business programs skip over
- The ‘must ask’ questions you need to ponder (and answer!) to create the best foundation to build from
- Why quantum leaping doesn’t come from ‘doing’ more (and what it comes from instead)
So as you execute your big plans for growth this year, make your journey of growth easier by listening to this powerful episode.
LINKS:
Paula talked about her group program (starting in March 2022) and how you can learn her powerful hiring process
You can learn more about that here
https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Today’s episode is such an important topic as we discuss what to do when the operations side of your business starts to feel heavy.
Once the initial buzz of growing your business fades, things can start to feel a little heavy and overwhelm can set in when you find yourself “too busy” juggling all the balls. Whether it’s because you’re still in the weeds of doing #allthethings or something about the way your team is working just doesn’t feel quite right, it’s something you need to address and eliminate ASAP!
In this episode I chat with business analyst, consultant and mindset coach, Melissa Froehlich who shares how to untangle yourself from the heavy vibe that can come from managing all the operations in your business and how to find flow and alignment in your business.
Melissa’s background is in supporting business owners to run their operations (and give them their lives back!) and we chat about:
- The importance of good “operational hygiene” - what this actually means and how to check it in your business
- WTF the difference is between a VA, OBM, DOO and Integrator (you need to know this!) and who you should look to hire and when
- How understanding yourself as a leader informs the style of team you actually need and how critical this element is when it comes to the operational side of your business feeling smooth
This 30 minutes might be the best you spend on your business this month, as Melissa shares all the juicy tips to give you clarity in what’s causing the heaviness and how to banish it for good - in the right way for your business.
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
LINKS:
Where to find Melissa:Instagram: melissafroehlich_biz
Podcast: The Uplevel Lounge Podcast - melissafroehlich.com
Facebook group: The Uplevel Lounge
Website: https://melissafroehlich.com/
Where to find Paula:
Want to know your authentic leadership style and how blend it seamlessly when hiring and managing a team - click here to do my 2 minute Leadership Style Quiz
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
Sabotage my team?! Who me? Never!!
I hate to break it to you, but accidentally sabotaging your team is a common issue I see #allthetime. So in this episode I share how not knowing who you truly are as a leader results in blocking the full potential of your team to succeed and creating chaos and unease for everyone - including yourself - along the way.
If you can’t quite put your finger on why you and your team feel out of alignment (whether a little or a lot!), then listen in for -
- Why looking in the mirror is the simple solution you’ve most likely missed
- What authentic leadership actually means
- The importance of straight talking conversations with your team to eliminate mistakes, confusion and ongoing disappointment
It’s time to stop trying to squeeze into someone else’s shoes and be the best leader you can be that both your biz and your team will thrive from! No more limiting or sabotaging yours and their potential, listen now so you can welcome ease, flow and alignment back into your world!
Links:
Want to know your authentic leadership style and how blend it seamlessly when hiring and managing a team - click here to do my2 minute Leadership Style Quiz
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com
Instagram:@paulamaidensconsulting
Facebook: @paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
This episode is one every entrepreneur and biz owner will relate to. In fact, I’m sure it will have you nodding & agreeing all the way through. Why? Because we’re talking about fear. And most importantly, the inevitable way it has of showing up with a vengeance when it comes to considering hiring your team.
I chat with copywriter, astrologer, and intuitive launch coach Sophia Pallas, about the very relatable process she went through with her hire. Sophia shares how she felt the fear and did it anyway. Was it easy? Was it worth it? Is her biz better for it?
If you’re stuck in the groundhog and overwhelm of doing #allthethings whilst your fears are keeping you stuck, tune in to hear –
- The 5 fears everyone can relate to creating obstacles to making necessary and strategic hires
- The most important realisation Sophia needed to move through this
- And how it’s possible to trade feeling fear and overwhelm for light and expansive, allowing you to breathe in your business again
If you’re feeling stuck and want to give 2022 the absolute best chance of success in your business – you want to listen to Sophia’s experience and the totally workable wisdom she shares. Consider this episode your free pass to bypass the fear altogether!
Sophia Pallas helps entrepreneurs connect deeply with their soul purpose to write copy that feels great, makes more $$$ and truly serves their client – so be sure to check out the links to her biz below.
LINKS:
Where to find Sophia:
Want to know your secret communication superpowers? Click here to get Sophia'sCosmic Communication Style Guide.
Website:https://sophiapallas.com/
Instagram:@sophiapallas
Facebook: @sophiaarthurpallas
Today I’m chatting with Emma Heuston, founder of The Remote Expert, to help you with the nitty-gritty legal side of hiring your team. Emma is a lawyer, author and entrepreneur who created her virtual law firm to help women build their empires with a solid legal foundation by offering customised legal services, terms and conditions, and templates.
In this episode, we’re talking all about how to protect yourself and your business when you’re hiring a team. I’ve been working with Emma for a few years and have always found her to be an absolute wealth of information with a down-to-earth approach to the law.
Emma discusses the minimum requirements entrepreneurs need to have in place to be legally compliant and feel safe when hiring a team. She talks about the conditions for contractors and employees and explains the six key differences. There are big penalties for business owners who employ sham contractors to avoid paying superannuation and leave, so it’s very important to be crystal clear on who you want to hire and regularly review the status of your team.
Emma and her team at The Remote Expert help entrepreneurs build thorough contracts and employment agreements that are specialised for their industry. Emma discusses the benefits and limitations of using templates, the common mistakes she has observed, and how important it is to have all of the correct documentation in place to protect yourself and your business.
Grab a pen and paper and check it out!
LINKS:
Where to find Emma:
Website: https://www.theremoteexpert.com/
Instagram: @the_remote_expert
Facebook: @theremoteexpert
Linked in: Emma Heuston
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
**Have you heard so many other business owners say it’s impossible to find great people? Or nobody will be able to do it as good as you?
Or maybe you’ve heard the opposite, how business owners depend on their amazing rockstars and wouldn’t be able to do it without them.
So how do you achieve the latter and avoid the former?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing with you a big secret that will help you build a killer team that works specifically for you. Getting the team right for you is incredibly important to building your business and achieving remarkable growth.
So what is the number one thing you need to master to build your team? Self awareness.
I’ll run you through exactly how to take a critical look at yourself to determine the kind of people you want to hire. I’ll give you a list of points and questions to reflect on to build a complete picture of who you are as a boss, leader and manager.
You can only hire the right people that suit you when you know exactly what drives you. You can then make truly powerful decisions to create the team of your dreams.
After listening, head over to the leadership quiz on my website to become crystal clear on who you are as a leader so you can find your perfect team.
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Leadership style quiz: https://paulamaidens.com/quiz/**
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
I’m excited to introduce you to my next guest, Courtney Rogers, and share this jam-packed conversation with you. Courtney is a Pricing and Sales Coach based in Brisbane and is fiercely determined to help women in business become confident leaders who charge what they are worth and grow a profitable business.
In this episode, Courtney talks about what a pricing and sales coach actually does and how a lack of confidence is one of the biggest blocks that she sees occurring for women in business. We discussed the importance of knowing the value of what you give and why your pricing needs to be in the forefront of your thought process to factor in the team you want to build.
We talked about thinking about pricing in a different way, building a service portfolio and looking at your reviews and testimonials for insights into your pricing. No matter where you’re at in business, there is so much value to take away. Enjoy.
LINKS:
Where to find Courtney:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/court.and.co/
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/courtney.deagon
- Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/pricingonthecake
- Website:https://www.courtneydeagon.com/
Where to find Paula:
- Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
- Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
**Today’s episode is the last one for 2021! I take you on an exploration into my reflections on my business and my personal life. I explore the elements that are working well, where there’s room for improvement, and what I have planned for 2022.
I’ve helped 11 clients this year hire 19 rockstars into their businesses (with 2 more currently in the works). I’ve made investments with coaches that have proved very valuable to keep me accountable to my goals. I’ll share my coaches with you and how they supported me to achieve great results.
I’ve had many amazing moments this year. I won the bronze B2B Aus Mumpreneur Award, I’ve launched my podcast show and many more I’ll share with you.
I talk about my personal experiences and goals that I’ve been very proud to achieve. I also take a critical look at my self care focus, what I did well and what I need to improve to thrive in 2022.
Join me in this episode where I take you behind the scenes into my business and my personal goals. Thank you so much for listening this year, I hope you have a wonderful break and I’ll be returning early next year!
LINKS:
Previous episode mentioned: Hiring reflections: My last 12 months with a key hire Where to find Paula:
Hiring Mastery: https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/**
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
**Finding a rockstar to work with you in your business all starts with hiring the right person. I know this can often feel impossible and many entrepreneurs are lost for where to begin. To help you set your intentions, I’m sharing where it all started for me with a clear purpose, a strategic method and defined expectations.
This episode is a personal reflection and a behind the scenes view into the last 12 months of a key hire for my virtual assistant. I wanted to explore what was different about this hire, how she settled into my business, how her role has changed and evolved, how I’ve felt throughout the process, and how it feels 12 months later.
If you want to hire someone to become an integral part of your team, I’m excited to share with you the strategic method I used to find the right fit, how I handled any bumps along the way and how you can back your hiring decision.
I’ll then challenge you to reflect on your next key hire with questions to probe into your purpose, goals, expectations and the support you need to reach your dream in 2022.
If you need to find the right people because you’re changing your strategy, have a new growth level goal, just reached six figures as an entrepreneur and are growing fast - this episode is perfect for you.**
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Hiring Mastery: https://paulamaidens.com/hiring-mastery/
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
**At the end of the year, we all sit back and reflect on the year that has been. It’s the perfect time to set goals and intentions for the new year and your team is no exception. As a leader, you can guide your team into this reflection period with confidence and excitement in you and your business.
In today’s episode, I discuss how important it is to make your team members feel great about themselves and their work as they close out the year with you. I share the 5 key things you need to impart to your team before the holiday period so they are looking forward to returning in the new year.
From my experience, there is a very clear movement period in January to February that is linked to New Year's resolutions and setting new goals and intentions. You can use this opportunity to send your team into this reflection phase feeling committed, dedicated and positive about their work with you and your business.
By following these steps, you can set your team and yourself up for a successful 2022 and prevent any demotivation. You have the power to help your team feel acknowledged, appreciated, excited and rejuvenated to hit the ground running next year.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Website:*https://paulamaidens.com/* Instagram:*https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/ Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook**
It can be very dangerous to rely too heavily on any one person when you’re scaling your business by growing your team and shifting the workload to other people.
I know you’re thinking that you have the most incredible, amazing person handling these tasks for you and nothing will ever change.
BUT, regardless of how amazing you or your business are, people will move on - life happens. I’ve seen through my clients how this often results in business owners taking the roles back onto themselves and feeling right back where they started.
When creating your business, you need to be equally focused on designing a structure that allows for anyone to go on holidays, become sick, or transition in or out.
In this episode, I’ll talk about the simple processes and systems you can build into your business to ensure that anyone in your team can pick up a task from anyone else. This is your ‘when’, ‘what’, and ‘how’ things need to be done.
I’ll explore that by having a clear overview of what each person in your business is responsible for, you’ll ensure that if anyone is away, your other team members know exactly what has to be done.
As you’re scaling to seven figures and beyond, systems and processes will be the framework that gives you freedom. They will allow you to take a holiday, give you space in your day, not be constantly answering questions, and be ready for people to come and go.
You have to think about how to build a business where the people work within the systems, and these systems hold the business up. Instead of a business where the people are the systems that hold the business up.
Enjoy!
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
This topic is one of the biggest organisational problems I see all of the time.
What do you do if you don’t have enough time to focus on your team?
This includes setting up systems, having conversations with employees about their mistakes or performance, and improving communication processes inside your business.
Now, I completely get it.
You’re a successful, amazing, business owner who’s flat out handling absolutely everything. How can you possibly find time for your team?
The first point I want to emphasize in this episode is that all of the amazing people that inspire you have a rockstar team backing them up. They don’t need to be doing it all on their own anymore and neither do you.
The secret behind the curtain for the multi 7 or 8 figure business owner is - making, creating, and investing in your team. I know you’re probably thinking that paying someone to help you is just another expense that may not be worth it, but this enables you to focus on leading and gives you space within your business to create.
The biggest and best investment you can make is to focus on your team and on your ability to choose great people. This will lift the weight off of your shoulders so you can expand into the fullest version of yourself.
When you invest in your team, you’re investing in your support system.
I’ll run you through my solution to finding the time and how to foster the mind shift you need to change your perceptions.
Lift your team up to the top of your to-do list. Take the emphasis off you being the major doer in your business, and shift it to being the major leader.
It could be as simple as dedicating 2 hours per week to focusing on your team.
If you want to learn more about how you could be using your 2 hours - jump over to my free training in my Facebook Group ‘The Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs’.
LINKS:
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
Have you ever had someone major leave your business?
I’m talking about someone so integral that you completely depend on them for almost everything.
In this episode, I’m chatting with one of Australia’s leading transformational coaches, Lisa Corduff. Lisa is a force of nature when it comes to mindset and shifting limiting beliefs to guide women back into their personal power.
I connected with Lisa when she was my business mentor. I believe so strongly in Lisa’s mission that I was in her mastermind group for two years. She has a treasure trove of experience from 9 years running her own online business and I’m so grateful to have her on the podcast today.
Lisa is hot off the heels launching her ‘Ready for Change’ program. This is a five-week program that helps women break through the stories that are holding them back in their lives.
Lisa is sharing her journey launching this program after her amazing, vital and highly efficient OBM left the company. She had to hire and cultivate a whole new team to handle the workload and ensure a successful launch.
Her previous OBM was so effective and intent on giving Lisa the space she needed to show up as the brand, that Lisa didn’t know how much her role actually encompassed.
She learned that she doesn’t need to be able to do it all.
She hired a launch manager, Facebook ads manager, customer service, tech support, and a copywriter in one year.
We discuss the dynamics of the new team and the difference between this launch compared to previous ones.
As leaders, we must build a business where people work within our systems and these systems hold the business up. If the reverse happens and people hold up the systems, then when people leave it makes a huge impact on our business.
Lisa feels like a large part of her job is now managing her team. We need to be really clear on what we want to build and the impact we want to generate. Having a bubble around you means that you’re not setting the culture.
Whether you’re hiring, leading, or growing your business, you’ll never get it perfect but Lisa encourages everyone to just jump in.
Where to find Lisa:
Website: https://lisacorduff.com/
Instagram: @lisacorduff
Facebook: @LisaCorduff1
The Mood Shift
https://lisacorduff.com/shift/
Ready for Change waitlist
https://lisacorduff.com/readyforchange-waitlist/
Where to find Paula:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
When you’re a high performer, it can feel as though nothing is ever good enough. We have such high expectations and standards for ourselves and of others. Unfortunately, a flow on effect from this characteristic is often it makes us difficult to work for.
I know, it’s not a very popular topic to talk about but I feel it is such an important aspect of building and keeping a great team.
Don’t get me wrong, your drive to always improve and better yourself is a great one! It has fueled you to become the amazing entrepreneur you are today.
However, we often just don’t spend enough time acknowledging ourselves or the people around us. We can be so focused on our next step that we keep changing the goalposts and never let our employees feel they have accomplished anything.
It’s one thing to have the mindset of constantly wanting to improve but it’s another to be forever changing as a leader. Constantly changing the requirements on your team will make your team feel like no matter what they do, they will never meet your standard or expectations.
Everyone on your team needs to feel a sense of satisfaction and that they’re proud of themselves for what they’ve accomplished.
Once you’ve acknowledged their contributions and effort, you can move into the improvement phase.
We keep amazing people when the feeling is mutual. When we have built a relationship that is both energized and motivated.
To help you in your reflection, I’ll ask you questions to help you think about the way you’re currently leading your team.
Remember, great people choose to work with people who they believe will be great leaders. But they choose to stay with people that are great leaders.
LINKS:
- Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
- Facebook: Savvy CEO Secrets for Entrepreneurs | Facebook
How can you stop finding and fixing your team’s mistakes?
We all know how incredibly busy we are as entrepreneurs. When faced with this problem, many of us will make the decision to hire staff to help with our immense workload. Only to find out we’re now spending the time we hoped to save fixing their mistakes! Leading to the question, was there any point?
I understand. Every single entrepreneur understands.
In this episode, I’ll run you through three crucial steps to stop being the person in your business to find and fix all of the mistakes. By incorporating these steps, you’ll stop your staff from involving you in every solution and free up valuable time to do the important things - like run your business.
I’ll share with you the FOS system. This is an incredibly effective method where the people in your team find the mistakes, own the mistakes and then solve them.
To help illustrate how this process works, I’ll run you through an example of how you can implement it in your business today.
You will get back your priceless time, so take a holiday!
LINKS:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
I’m chatting with the amazing Jazze Jervis today, a lawyer turned 7 figure Business Coach and Network Marketing Mentor for women in business. Jazze grew her business from $400k to $1 million in just 12 months and now she’s on a mission to show other women how to create unwavering belief and unstoppable results through her business coaching program.
In addition to running three businesses, Jazze has the time to train for a half ironman and live a beautiful life with a big focus on family, health and balance. Just how does she do it?
In this episode, I ask Jazze about her team and we go behind the scenes of her business and the support system around her that helps her be the best version of herself.
Jazze shares why she believes having the right team is the key piece to scaling your business and we talk about the importance of being transparent and focusing on great communication.
Jazze also shares some lessons she’s learned along the way and loads more. You’re going to love it.
LINKS:
- Where to find Jazze:
- Instagram:@jazzejervis_
- Website:https://www.jazzejervis.com.au/
- Podcast:The All That Jazze Podcast
Where to find Paula
- Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
It’s been 11 years since I jumped into being an entrepreneur and hired the first person to work for me. My journey since then has been jam-packed full of lessons from my own experience and from working with so many amazing clients doing amazing things in their own businesses.
In this episode, I share my top 11 lessons on all things hiring, leadership, and general tips for being in business. From creating an ‘always improving’ culture to never underestimating the power of systems, I dive into the big lessons that have really made an impact on my life and business. I talk about using time wisely, the value of a great mentor, why specificity is the secret to success, and loads more.
Regardless of where you’re at in your business journey, there’s definitely something valuable here for you. Check out this episode to discover some nuggets that you can take and apply to your business right now.
LINKS:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/
Welcome, everyone! I’m so excited to have you here for the very first episode of Big Dreams Great Teams.
My name is Paula Maidens and I’ve been a coach and consultant for 11 years now. I specialise in teaching incredible entrepreneurs how to hire the right people and build strategic systems that give you the time to focus on running your business.
As your business grows, you’ll need help from trusted staff to take over part of your operations. We’ll talk about how to hire great people, motivate your staff, how to have challenging conversations, and many more really useful topics.
I’m a serial entrepreneur who has been in business for 11 years. I’m a Mum of two little boys in Brisbane and obsessed with balancing my workload and life. I’ll share with all of you how I approach juggling both business and family by sharing lots of tips and tricks to get your business running without you.
To motivate you, I’ll also have other incredible entrepreneurs on the show to share the inside information on their own teams and business journey.
If you’re looking to learn how to be an authentic CEO in a way that feels great to you, you’re in the right place.
I can’t wait to go on this journey with you.
LINKS:
Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/