The Latest from Kristy-Lee

Hello and welcome to Episode 301 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

As we head toward a brand new year, it’s the perfect time to take stock of what’s not working, and let it go.

In this episode of the People Powered Business Podcast, we’re kicking off a special three-part series to help you plan for a powerful 2026, starting with what to stop doing when it comes to managing your team.

If you’ve felt like you’ve been micromanaging, cleaning up after your team, or spending too much time on reactive people issues, this conversation will speak directly to you. We’ll cover the habits, leadership patterns, and outdated processes that are quietly draining your time, energy, and team morale, and why clinging to them might be holding your business back more than you realise.

You’ll walk away with permission to stop being the default problem-solver, the reminder that you don’t need to keep tolerating average performance, and a reality check about what it really costs to ignore toxic beh...

Ever walked into your workplace and felt like your team was calling the shots, not you?

Maybe it started subtly. A staff member made a call on something you’d normally decide. Someone else began setting their own schedule. Now it feels like every day you’re reacting, not leading — and you’re not quite sure how it got to this point.

It happens more often than you’d think, especially in growing businesses. Leaders start with the best intentions, but somewhere along the way, the balance shifts. You end up juggling the leftovers, avoiding conflict, and wondering when exactly you became the passenger instead of the driver.

The good news? You can take back control. Here’s how to spot the warning signs, why this happens, and what to do if your team feels like they’ve taken over.

How Control Slips Away

It usually starts with trying to do the right thing. You want to give your team autonomy, show them you trust them, and avoid being a micromanager. Maybe you don’t love conflict...

Hello and welcome to Episode 300 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Wow! 300 episodes! Who would have thought that when I started planning this podcast back in 2019, and launched it in early 2020 the world of work would go through the changes it has?

Yes that’s right, the world of work is changing. More so now than in the last 5 years. So today I’m unpacking my top 3 predictions for our teams in 2026 and beyond.

From full AI integration and managing the tension and skills required, to rising to the challenge of engaging a largely disengaged workforce who are craving connection now more than ever. The business owners who stay ahead of these trends will be the ones with thriving business in 2026 and beyond.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett or email me at [email protected]  

The 12 Days of a People Powered Christmas Specials: https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au/12-days-christmas

An Invitation: If you’d like to connect...

Employment contracts should protect your business, not put it at risk. But for many employers using set-off clauses, recent legal developments suggest you could be walking a fine line without even realising it.

If your contracts include a clause that bundles award entitlements like overtime, allowances and penalties into one neat annual salary, you might want to take a closer look.

It’s a practice that’s been common for years, but now there’s fresh concern that many of these clauses aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.

Let’s unpack what set-off clauses are, why they’re popular, and what recent court rulings have changed about how they should be used in practice.

What Is a Set-Off Clause?

A set-off clause is a provision in an employment contract that allows an employer to pay a single annual salary that covers more than just the base wage. It’s used to offset things like:

• Overtime
• Penalty rates
• Allowances
• Loadings

In theory, the clause allows you to si...

Hello and welcome to Episode 299 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are discussing the value of a clean slate! Sometimes in business, and in life, it can be simpler to wipe the slate clean and start again than it can be to untangle and rebuilt an existing mess. In today episode I walk you through an exercise around creating a structure to achieve your vision, which I call quite simply The Clean Slate Exercise. We look at how to ensure you’re not putting square pegs in round holes, training and developing your best people and how to fill gaps and deal with over resourcing, or leakage.

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett and let me know if you have questions or email me at [email protected]  

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 worki...

Every year, like clockwork, a wave of resignations rolls in during January.

Staff return from the summer break with fresh perspective, a bit of distance, and sometimes a decision that it’s time to move on. It can feel like a blindsiding moment, but the truth is these resignations usually started brewing months earlier.

The good news? There’s a lot you can do right now to reduce the risk of losing great people in the new year. And it doesn’t require a huge investment or elaborate retention strategy. In fact, most of the best actions are simple, practical, and free.

Let’s unpack what’s really going on in January, what signs to watch for, and what steps to take today to hold onto your top talent tomorrow.

Why January is Resignation Season

There’s something about a new year that naturally prompts reflection. People are stepping out of their usual routine, spending time with family and friends, and asking themselves the big questions. Do I want another year like the last on...

Hello and welcome to Episode 298 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Is your team member just going through a rough patch, or have they checked out entirely?

In this week’s episode of the People Powered Business Podcast, we’re diving into a topic that many business owners and leaders quietly wrestle with: how to tell the difference between burnout and disengagement in your team.

At first glance, burnout and disengagement can look almost identical. You might notice someone who’s normally reliable and upbeat suddenly becoming withdrawn, missing deadlines, or not showing the same drive they once did. But beneath the surface, these two experiences come from very different places. and require completely different responses from you as a leader.

In this episode, I walk you through clear, easy-to-understand definitions of both burnout and disengagement. We cover the key signs and symptoms to look out for, and why it’s essential to understand what’s really going on before you jump in w...

Why does the final stretch of the year feel more like we are crawling to the finish line than a festive, celebratory wind down?

Business owners, managers, and employees alike are all feeling the weight of the year that was. Stress is mounting, tempers are flaring, and burnout is rearing its head in ways that feel more acute than ever before. As I’ve had more than one person tell me lately, people are a bit ‘tetchy’ at the moment … maybe you can relate?

This isn’t just a passing mood. It’s what many are calling the “Q4 crash” that very real, end-of-year slump that hits hard as the calendar edges towards December.

But why does it happen, and more importantly, how can you navigate it?

Why Q4 Hits So Hard

Every year has its natural rhythm, and Q4, from October through December, is always a challenge.

It’s a time when businesses are rushing to finish the year strong, personal responsibilities stack up with school events and holidays, and the cumulative pressure of the p...

Hello and welcome to Episode 297 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In this episode, we explore a significant new ruling from the Fair Work Commission that could impact every Australian employer managing flexible work arrangements. The case involves a long-term Westpac employee and her right to continue working from home, and the decision has sent ripples through workplaces of all sizes.

We unpack what happened, what the Fair Work Commission decided, and what the case means for business owners navigating the tricky terrain of hybrid and remote work. You’ll also hear about other developments you should have on your radar.

What You’ll Learn

• The details of the Westpac flexible work case and why it matters
• What “reasonable business grounds” actually means under the Fair Work Act
• Why following process is just as important as your policy
• The risks of rejecting flexible work requests without proper documentation
• Upcoming changes and trends in remote work regulation

Key Ta...

DIY is a bit of a badge of honour for small business owners.

We patch up websites, design our own marketing, handle bookkeeping, and tackle team management with the same can-do spirit. There’s a certain satisfaction in figuring it out ourselves - until that approach quietly starts to backfire.

When it comes to HR, doing it yourself feels resourceful. Responsible. Even empowering. But what if DIY HR is actually keeping you stuck? What if, despite your best intentions, it’s holding back your team, stalling your business growth, and draining your energy?

Here’s a fresh take on why managing HR yourself might not be the best strategy anymore—and what to do instead.

DIY Isn’t Winging It

Let’s be clear: DIY HR isn’t the same as winging it. When you’re DIYing something, you’re usually making a genuine effort. You’re reading Fair Work articles, researching awards, downloading templates, and doing your best to get it right. And you’re likely doing it because:

• You want control
...