You’re likely spending more time with your coworkers than with your family, so it’s not unusual to experience the same kinds of conflicts. Just like a marriage, you might find yourself questioning if your team is still the right fit for you and your business. As a business owner, your connection with your team often goes beyond the typical boss-employee relationship. This close-knit setting can create a sense of camaraderie and shared goals but can also lead to complex emotions when things aren’t going well.
Despite working hard alongside your team, you might feel overwhelmed and see your business stall. Even if you’re making more money each year, you might not be hitting your targets and could be sacrificing personal time, relationships, and freedom. The issue isn’t always what your team is doing but who’s doing it. Like any relationship, what seemed like a perfect match initially might not support your business as it grows.
Holding onto the wrong team can hold back your business and limit new growth opportunities. This realization can be tough, especially when you’ve invested a lot into your current team. So, how do you know when it’s time for a change? Recognizing when you need to "divorce" your team to push your business forward is crucial for any entrepreneur. It requires emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and a commitment to long-term success. Here are some signs it might be time for a change:
Identify Leadership Gaps
A clear sign that you might need to make changes is when there are significant leadership gaps, such as a lack of initiative or the inability to make decisions without your constant input. As the business owner, if you’re involved in nearly every aspect, from admin to sales, it might mean your team isn’t aligned with their roles. Tools like the WHY assessment can help evaluate team members’ motivations and identify struggles in leadership. For example, someone focused on improving processes might have trouble managing people. If you’re constantly micromanaging or stepping into roles your team should handle, it might be time to rethink your team structure.
Address Communication and Productivity Issues
Good communication is key for a successful business. If you notice ongoing communication problems, missed deadlines, or reduced productivity, it might be time to reevaluate your team dynamics. Regular communication issues might mean your team’s motivations aren’t aligning with business needs. For example, pairing individuals with conflicting motivation styles can lead to disagreements about project outcomes. If tasks regularly take too long or need frequent clarification, consider if your team’s skills and motivations still fit your business.
Tackle Retention and Hiring Challenges
High turnover rates or trouble attracting and keeping talented employees can be a warning sign. This could indicate that your current team culture or structure isn’t supporting growth or satisfaction. Assess whether you’re hiring based on a clear understanding of motivations needed for roles. Are your core motivations aligned with your business goals? Constantly struggling to find the right fit might mean it’s time to review your team structure and hiring strategies.
How to Approach the Transition
If you recognize it’s time for change, approach the transition with empathy and careful planning. Be transparent about business challenges and needed changes while framing the conversation around business needs. For those leaving, offer support like recommendations or career counseling. Never burn bridges. Strategically plan your team restructuring, considering motivations needed for each role. Support remaining team members by sharing your vision and how they fit into it.
Feel Confident About Building the Right Team to Fuel Future Growth
Once you’ve decided to part ways with some or all of your current team, focus on creating a team that matches your growth vision. Understand different motivations to build a diverse team. The goal is not to find people like you but to create a team with varied motivations that move your business forward. By aligning your team’s motivations with business goals, you set the stage for growth and success. It’s about having the right motivations behind the skills. Making the decision to part ways with your team is tough, but sometimes it’s necessary for business health and growth. With empathy and strategic planning, you can navigate this transition and build a stronger, better-aligned team ready to elevate your business.
