The Latest from Kristy-Lee

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 You might notice someone who’s normally reliable and upbeat suddenly becoming withdrawn, missing deadlines, or not showing the same drive they once did.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
...

Hello and welcome to Episode 296 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

As the year winds down, things often ramp up for business owners, and it’s no wonder Q4 burnout is real.

In this episode, we’re talking about that end-of-year exhaustion, what causes it, how it shows up in you and your team, and what you can do to avoid limping toward the Christmas shutdown. Whether you're feeling flat yourself or seeing signs your team is running on fumes, this episode will help you reset and finish the year strong, without burning out.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Q4 burnout happens, and why it’s so common in small businesses
• The subtle signs that you or your team might be close to burnout
• Simple, practical ways to re-energise your team and yourself
• Why now is the time to reduce pressure, not pile more on
• How to end the year on a high note (without needing to sprint)

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett and share how you’re managing Q4 fatigue

AI has well and truly made its way into our lives - at home, in business, in school (according to my teens….) and everything in between.

Whether you're using it to brainstorm ideas, shortcut admin tasks, or (let’s be honest) figure out what to cook for dinner, artificial intelligence is changing the way we work.

But here’s the thing: while AI tools like ChatGPT can be powerful and downright fabulous, they also bring a new set of challenges for business owners.

From privacy concerns to reluctant team members and questionable content quality, the use of AI in the workplace is something that needs real thought.

So, how do you actually manage AI use across your team, keep things ethical and efficient, and avoid heading into the wild west of automation chaos? Let’s unpack it.

AI Is Everywhere (Whether You Like It or Not)

If you’re not using AI in your business yet, chances are your team is, or your competitors definitely are.

From writing job ads and internal comms ...

Hello and welcome to Episode 295 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In this weeks episode we’re talking about ‘resignation season’ which is of course January every year. 31st January is in fact the most popular day for resignations, but the resignations start flowing the very first day back from the Christmas break.

Resignations are rarely spontaneous, and the January resignations most businesses deal with are thought about months before. So right now is the time people are starting to consider a new year resignation.

In this episode we talk about why this happens, what to look for in your people to see if they are starting to check out, and I share some practical strategies for you to implement right now to avoid the January resignation rush.

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 f...

Let’s face it, HR in small business can feel like an absolute mess.

One day, you’re celebrating a win with your team, the next, you’re buried under questions, conflicts, or compliance confusion. If it feels like you’re micromanaging, juggling too much, or constantly putting out fires, you’re not alone.

The chaos often leaves small business owners wondering what they are doing wrong, and in that moment of overwhelm, the shiny promise of HR software feels like a lifeline.

But here’s the truth: software is not the solution. It’s a distraction.

What small business really needs isn’t another subscription - it’s structure. And building that structure is a whole lot easier than you might think.

Why HR Feels So Hard

If you feel like your HR is messy, you're not imagining things. It often is messy in small business, especially in those growth phases where you're adding team members but haven't put formal systems in place.

There’s a good chance you’ve tried to do the rig...

Hello and welcome to Episode 294 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In today’s episode, we’re exploring why good people leave organisations, and what it really costs you when you lose someone from your business.

Most business owners assume staff leave for better pay or new opportunities, but more often it comes down to three things: lack of clarity, lack of direction, and inconsistent leadership. When your team isn’t clear on what’s expected of them, can’t see where they’re heading, or don’t feel supported by steady, consistent leadership, even the best employees start to disengage.

We’ll also unpack the hidden costs of turnover that most business owners underestimate. It’s not just the cost of recruitment or training. It’s the time you lose filling gaps, the emotional energy it takes to start over, the trust that’s eroded, and the morale that dips each time someone walks out the door. The ripple effect of turnover can quietly damage your business far more than you realise.

Yo...