Hello and welcome to Episode 319 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Got someone on your team who just is not cutting it, but every time you think about dealing with it, you put it off for another day? Maybe you are hoping they will sort themselves out, maybe you are gathering more “evidence”, or maybe you are trying not to rock the boat. Either way, the issue rarely fixes itself, and the longer it drags on, the messier it gets.

I keep seeing this with small business owners, and I get why. Managing underperformance is one of the hardest parts of leading a team, especially when your team is small, the person plays a big role, or there is a personal relationship involved. It is easy to avoid the conversation, overthink it, or soften things so much that nothing actually changes. But when we handle employee underperformance badly, we usually make it worse for everyone involved, including the rest of the team.

In this episode, I unpack why so many business owners struggle to manage an underperforming employee and the common leadership styles that get in the way. I talk through the three real reasons performance issues happen in the first place: a skills gap, a motivation problem, or a cultural mismatch. That distinction matters more than most people realise, because the right solution depends entirely on the real cause. If you misdiagnose the problem, you will often apply the wrong fix, and that is when frustration, resentment and poor team culture start to build.

I also walk you through what to do next if you have a problem employee on your team, including when to coach, when to re-engage, and when it is time to start planning an exit. This is a practical conversation for small business owners who want to handle performance management clearly, calmly and without making a hard situation even harder.

In this episode we cover:

• Why small business owners often avoid dealing with underperformance until it becomes a bigger issue
• The common leadership habits that can make employee performance problems worse
• The three main causes of underperformance at work and how to spot the difference
• Why getting the diagnosis right is the key to fixing the issue properly

What to do next, whether the employee needs support, re-engagement or an exit plan

If you want practical, no-nonsense advice on managing your team delivered straight to your inbox every week, head to https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au/join.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett and let me know if you have questions about underperforming employees email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

Hello and welcome to Episode 318 of the People Powered Business Podcast.

Do you have someone on your team right now where something just feels... off? Maybe you knew when you hired them, maybe it crept up on you slowly — but either way, you're still holding on. And if that's you, this episode is going to hit close to home.

This is one of my most listened-to episodes and I'm bringing it back because I keep seeing this play out in businesses every single week. The hiring market has shifted since I first recorded this, but the problem hasn't changed one bit. Business owners are still holding onto the wrong people for too long — and it's the rest of the team that quietly pays the price.

In this episode I walk you through exactly what a wrong hire looks like in the early stages (because when you're in the weeds it can be surprisingly hard to see), the real reasons we keep people around even when we know we shouldn't, and the three ways holding onto the wrong person erodes your team's morale and motivation from the inside out. The third one in particular — the trust piece — is the one most business owners don't see coming until the damage is already done.

If you've been avoiding a difficult decision about someone on your team, this episode will give you the clarity and the push you need to take action.

In this episode we cover:

• The five red flags that signal you've made a wrong hire
• Why we talk ourselves into keeping people we know aren't right
• The three ways a wrong hire silently destroys team morale
• Why your team will forgive the mistake — but not the inaction

Ready to take action? If you're dealing with a wrong hire right now and need support book a clarity call to find out how I can help:

If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyleebillett/

Or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

Hello and welcome to Episode 317 of The People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode, we are tackling one of the most confusing and high-risk areas for business owners right now, the difference between employees and contractors.

I’m joined by Jeanette Jifkins from Onyx Legal, and together we unpack why this isn’t as simple as choosing what you want to call someone. We explore how recent Fair Work changes, alongside ATO requirements, have made this space more complex than ever, and why getting it wrong can have serious financial and legal consequences for your business.

We dive into the legal perspective on what truly separates an employee from a contractor, including the critical role of control, the “whole of relationship” test, and what courts actually look for when making a determination.

Throughout the conversation, we share practical examples, common mistakes business owners make, and how contractor relationships can easily drift into employment without you even realising. If you’re currently engaging contractors or considering it, this episode will help you understand your risks and what you need to do to protect your business.

Key Takeaways:

• You can’t simply choose whether someone is a contractor or employee, the law determines it
• The level of control you have is a major factor in defining the relationship
• The “whole of relationship” test looks beyond contracts to how the working relationship actually functions
• Contractor arrangements can evolve over time and increase your risk if not managed properly
• Documentation, clear agreements, and ongoing management are essential to protecting your business

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyleebillett/

Or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

An Invitation:

If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

To Connect with Jeanette:

https://onyx.legal/

https://www.instagram.com/onyxlegal_bris/

Hello and welcome to Episode 316 of The People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode, we are diving into how to write a script for any tricky team conversation, whether it’s performance-related, awkward, or just something that’s been sitting on your to-do list for far too long. I walk through why these conversations are often avoided and how that avoidance is actually costing your business more than you might realise, from disengaged employees through to missed performance opportunities. I also unpack why this isn’t a “them” problem, it’s an “us” problem, and how our hesitation as leaders is often the very thing holding our teams back.

I also take you through a practical, step-by-step framework to help you confidently prepare for and navigate these conversations. From getting crystal clear on the real issue, to preparing for objections, to structuring your conversation in a way that leads to clarity and action, this episode gives you a repeatable approach you can use anytime. If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking, avoiding, or second-guessing a tough conversation, this is the structure you’ve been looking for.

Key Takeaways:

1. Avoiding difficult conversations leads to bigger performance and engagement issues over time
2. Clarity is the foundation of any effective team conversation
3. Preparing for objections reduces fear and builds confidence
4. A structured conversation framework creates better outcomes and accountability
5. Following up and documenting conversations is critical for long-term success

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyleebillett/

Or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

An Invitation: If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

Hello and welcome to Episode 315 of The People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode I’m tackling a leadership trap I see all the time in small and growing businesses: confusing being a nice boss with being a good boss. With recent research showing that four in five Australian employees are disengaged at work, and a significant percentage actively looking for a new role, it’s worth asking an uncomfortable question.

How much of that comes down to leadership? The reality is that managers influence the majority of employee engagement outcomes, which means the way we show up as leaders has a direct impact on retention, performance and ultimately profitability.

I explore the difference between leading with kindness and prioritising being liked. When we focus too heavily on being nice, we often avoid the conversations that actually help our teams grow. We soften feedback, let issues slide and delay addressing underperformance because we don’t want to upset anyone. But strong leadership isn’t about being harsh. It’s about being clear. A good boss cares enough about their team to set expectations, hold boundaries and have honest conversations even when they feel uncomfortable. As the saying goes, clear is kind, and unclear is unkind.

I also share practical ways you can shift from being simply a nice boss to being an effective one without changing who you are. This includes setting clear expectations early, addressing issues while they’re still small, giving honest but respectful feedback and creating regular check-ins so difficult conversations become easier over time. Your warmth and care are strengths as a leader. The key is making sure they support clarity and accountability rather than replacing them.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyleebillett/

Or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

An Invitation:

If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

Articles Mentioned:

https://www.ibtimes.com.au/employee-disengagement-australia-leads-au223-billion-loss-42-actively-job-hunting-poll-1858187

https://www.ahri.com.au/articles/cost-of-employee-disengagement

Hello and welcome to Episode 314 of The People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode I’m talking about something most business owners know they need to do but often avoid: difficult conversations. We’ve been exploring why these conversations feel so uncomfortable and how to approach them, but today I’m focusing on something different – the real cost of not having them.

Whether it’s the high performer who knows they’re indispensable, the team members who simply can’t work together, or the employee whose attitude has quietly shifted, avoiding the conversation might feel easier in the moment but it comes with a price.

I unpack the three hidden costs that show up when we delay these conversations: the time and mental bandwidth it takes up, the opportunity cost of what your team and business could achieve if the issue was resolved, and the very real material costs that can appear through mistakes, disengagement, lost customers or team turnover. When you start adding those up, many business owners are effectively paying somewhere between $50 and $100 every single day just to avoid a conversation that would likely take 30 minutes to have.

If you’ve ever put off a tough conversation because you care about the relationship or you’re worried about making things worse, you’re not alone. Avoidance isn’t laziness, it’s often a sign that you care deeply about your team and the outcome. But understanding the true cost of avoiding the conversation is the first step toward addressing it.

In the next episode, I’ll be sharing the three reasons these conversations often don’t go the way we expect, even when we finally decide to have them.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyleebillett/

Or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

An Invitation:

If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

Hello and welcome to Episode 313 of The People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode, I’m diving into the real reason you’re avoiding that conversation you know you need to have. You’ve thought about it, rehearsed it and told yourself you’ll deal with it next week. But avoidance isn’t laziness. It’s protection. I unpack why so many business owners put off difficult conversations around performance management, behaviour issues and team accountability, and why it’s not about being a bad boss or not knowing what to say. It runs deeper than that.

We explore the four big reasons these conversations get delayed, including fear of escalation, worrying about back chat or Fair Work claims, not wanting to be the bad guy in a close knit team, not trusting the structure of the conversation and letting issues go on for too long. I talk about how avoidance quietly shapes workplace culture, how behaviour becomes pattern and pattern becomes precedent, and why what you tolerate never stays neutral.

Most importantly, I share why the real issue isn’t courage. It’s clarity. When you have a clear structure for managing hard conversations, you reduce emotion, protect yourself legally, strengthen your workplace culture and create better performance outcomes for your team.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyleebillett/

Or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia

An Invitation:

If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

Hello and welcome to Episode 312 of The People Powered Business Podcast.

In this episode, we’re unpacking a confronting but powerful question: is your team’s performance actually a reflection of your leadership?

When something goes wrong in our teams, it’s easy to look straight at them.

But what if under-performance isn’t about capability at all?

What if it’s about clarity, communication and consistency?

I’m sharing why most performance issues are actually clarity issues, how undefined standards and unspoken expectations create confusion, and why emotional reactions instead of structured leadership conversations keep us stuck. If someone keeps getting it wrong, we need to ask ourselves what we’ve clearly defined as ‘right’.

We also explore the idea that what you tolerate becomes the norm. If lateness has no consequence, it becomes culture. If attitude slips and nothing happens, that tone spreads. If you quietly redo work instead of addressing it, quality control becomes your job forever. Teams calibrate to the lowest enforced standard.

Culture is not what we say, it’s what we repeat, what we ignore, what we reward and what we fix for them. The good news is that if standards are created through repetition, they can be reset the same way. I’ll challenge you to choose your next action step. Is it clarity, tolerance or culture alignment?

And over the next few weeks, I’ll be diving deeper into the leadership behaviours that reset standards faster than anything else.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett and let me know if you have questions about work from home entitlements or email me at hello@peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au

An Invitation:

If you’d like to book a 15 minute clarity call with me, do that here: https://calendly.com/kristyleebillett/chat

An Invitation:

If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working for you and any challenges you might be having.

Join Here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrsupportaustralia