Last week, I sat with a client for two hours as they processed how to handle a situation no business school prepares you for. We talked through scenarios, practiced conversations, and worked through both the practical steps and emotional weight of the decision.

We've been working with this SME in Sussex for a number of years now, that whilst mega successful has now grown beyond the small family business it once was.

Now with 20+ employees, it needed a more structured approach to performance and development without being corporate or bureaucratic.

Here’s what we delivered ….

Here's the reality, your people want to know how they're doing NOW, not in 6 months time. They want to grow, develop and be challenged. But most importantly? They want to be heard.

I see you, fellow business owners. I see you because I was you.

Building my consultancy was like riding a roller coaster – exhilarating and terrifying all at once. Growing the team, landing bigger clients, living what seemed like the entrepreneurial dream. But beneath the surface, something was crumbling.

The weight of responsibility became crushing.

"I just need you in that meeting with me."

Three weeks ago, Sarah* reached out about what seemed like a straightforward HR issue – ongoing performance challenges in her team. But as we sat down together, it became clear there was so much more beneath the surface.

In my 15+ years supporting business owners, one truth stands out. When your people are your biggest headache, your business becomes a burden rather than a joy.

Here's what I know …

My client, an experienced entrepreneur leading a team of 15, was struggling with the people management side of her business. In her own words, she found it:

- Stressful
- Overwhelming
- Like constantly watching over her shoulder for something to go wrong

You know exactly what I'm talking about - that employee who consistently underperforms, the one you've been meaning to address for weeks, months, maybe even years. Yet, here you are, once again picking up their slack, feeling the weight of unresolved issues on your shoulders.

Fear-based leadership is never a good strategy. It creates a toxic environment where:

- Innovation is stifled
- Open communication breaks down
- Employee well-being suffers
- Turnover increases
- Productivity declines