The Latest from Kristy-Lee

Hello and welcome to Episode 274 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are talking about probationary periods. What they are, why so many businesses get it so wrong in using them effectively and how to leverage them better.

Legally, the concept of probation isn’t defined in the Fair Work Act. What matters instead is the “minimum employment period”, which is 12 months for businesses with fewer than 15 employees or 6 months for businesses with 15 or more employees.

During this period, employees can’t make an unfair dismissal claim — which is why it’s often confused with “probation.”

BUT — if you don’t manage this properly — you can still face general protections claims, adverse action issues, and more. The employment contract wording is critical to protect you here.

An Invitation

Would you like to connect with other like-minded business owners, leaders and managers experiencing similar situations with their team? Join the discussion inside our free Facebook Group – The P...

You’ve probably heard of the 80/20 rule—also known as the Pareto Principle. It’s the idea that 80% of your outcomes often come from just 20% of your efforts. In business, it might show up in your client revenue, your sales results, or even your task list.

But there’s one place this principle shows up over and over again—and it can quietly make or break your success: your team.

In many businesses, a small portion of the team is responsible for the lion’s share of results, while another small portion takes up most of the time, energy and attention. And if this imbalance isn’t addressed, it can lead to burnout, frustration, and stalled growth.

Let’s explore what the 80/20 dynamic looks like in a team—and how to reset the balance.

When 20% of Your Team Delivers 80% of the Results

First, take a moment to think about your team. Who are your high performers? The ones who are always reliable, get things done without being asked, and consistently push the business forward?

Hello and welcome to Episode 273 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are joined by special guest Dr Shae Wissell from Re:Think Dyslexia.

Dr. Shae Wissell is a thought leader, researcher, and internationally recognised advocate for adults with dyslexia and neurodivergence. A certified practicing speech pathologist, she holds a Master of Public Health and Health Administration and a Doctor of Public Health.

With extensive experience in health, not-for-profit, and social enterprise sectors, Shae directs re:think dyslexia and founded the chair of the Dear Dyslexic Foundation, leveraging her lived experience and diverse expertise to provide coaching, advocacy, and workforce solutions.

Her research focuses on the lived experiences of Australian adults with dyslexia, examining social inequalities in healthcare, education, employment, relationships, and mental health. A published author and presenter, Shae’s work has been research has been recognised locally and internationall...

If your team is growing but your diary is still jam-packed, your stress is climbing, and your inbox is overflowing with things only you seem to be able to answer… there’s a good chance you’re missing one crucial piece of your organisational puzzle.

Most business owners hit a point where the team has grown, the work has scaled, but they’re still stuck in the middle of everything.

Constantly managing people. Fixing problems. Running out of time. It's frustrating, exhausting, and makes you wonder if growing a team was ever worth it.

Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s one role that can change everything—and it might just be the game changer your business needs.

Are You Experiencing Growing Pains?

There are some common warning signs that suggest your business is ready for a structural shift:

• You're the bottleneck — everything flows through you and progress stalls if you're unavailable.
• Taking leave is near impossible — for both you and your te
...

Hello and welcome to Episode 272 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we are getting a little technical and unpacking a recent announcement and decision from the Fair Work Commission in relation to the Gender Undervaluation Review.

In this episode we will look at what’s changing – for sure, what is on the table to change, when will we know more and what’s coming next?

What we know is changing, for sure is the minimum pay rates for Pharmacists, including Pharmacy Interns, covered under the Pharmacy Award. They are getting a 14.1% pay rise, in 3 phases, starting 30 June 2025!

Also on the table are a number of provisional recommendations relating to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award, the Children’s Services Award and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Controlled Health Services Award.

These provisional recommendations include changes to cla...

Managing a team isn’t easy. And for many business owners, it’s the one part of business they’d gladly give up. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I love my business… I just wish I didn’t have to manage people,” you’re not alone.

The reality is, leading a team can feel hard because most of us never learned how to do it—we just fell into it. You start a business, you grow, you hire people… and then you wonder why it still feels like a struggle. The truth? A lot of it comes down to how you lead—and whether that leadership style is helping or hindering your team.

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Boss

Forget the textbook leadership models. This isn’t about theory—it’s about real business, real teams, and real challenges.

After working with thousands of business owners over the last two decades, a clear pattern has emerged. There are four boss types that most leaders fall into. And understanding which one you are is the key to leading more effectively (and with a lot less stre...

Hello and welcome to Episode 271 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Have you ever felt like your team is… almost great?

You’ve hired well, you’ve delegated, yet you’re still stuck in the weeds.

It’s not that they don’t care — but you’re still the one they lean on for every answer, decision, direction.

So if you’ve built a capable team… what’s missing?

Today we are unpacking The 3 Things Your Team Needs From You — but Won’t Ask For

The first is Clarity.

Not just what to do, but why, when, and how success will be measured. Without this, they hesitate, double-check, or avoid taking initiative.

The Second is Structure (and rhythm).

Teams thrive on predictable systems — not daily chaos. When you lead “on the fly,” your team feels just as disorganised as you do.

The Third is Boundaries

The team need you to say no, make decisions, and draw lines — not always please, fix, or say yes. Your people want to grow — but can’t if you’re always swooping in.

This isn’t about being toug...

Hiring a team is supposed to free you up, not tie you down. Yet many business owners find themselves busier than ever after building a team. If you’re wondering why everything still lands on your plate—even with staff in place—you’re not alone.

You’ve made the hires, built the infrastructure, and handed over the reins, at least you’ve tried to on paper. But you’re still working late, making every decision, solving every problem, and answering every question.

Why? Because building a team doesn't automatically mean you're leading one effectively.

The problem isn't you—or your team. It’s in the structure, the clarity, and the mindset with which the team was formed.

The Myth That Hiring Automatically Reduces Your Workload

This is the most common trap: thinking more people equals less work.

It’s easy to believe that bringing more bodies into the business will mean things will run themselves.

But unless you have the right roles, the right structure, and clear directi...

Hello and welcome to Episode 270 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

Today we’re talking about how to shift from Chaos to Clarity with Small Shifts That Make a Big Impact on Your Team.

We start with discussing why big changes aren’t the answer. Most business owners think they need more systems, a full restructure or to hire a unicorn when things aren’t going to plan with their team. Often it’s not a structural problem — it’s a leadership rhythm problem.

So I’m sharing 3 small shifts that can have a bigger impact than one big change.

1. Shift #1: Get Clear on Roles
2. Shift #2: Introduce a Weekly Rhythm
3. Shift #3: Set and Share Expectations Out Loud

These changes are not just shifting what you do — you’re shifting how you lead. These changes build trust with the team and remove their reliance on you.

An Invitation

Would you like to connect with other like-minded business owners, leaders and managers experiencing similar situations with their team? Join the discussion ins...

Do you ever feel scared about the decisions you make when running your business and leading your team?

Fear might not show up wearing a name tag or waving a red flag—but it’s there. Quietly, consistently, it can creep into the decisions we make as business owners and leaders.

Whether it's hiring, delegating, embracing change, or confronting difficult conversations, fear often lurks beneath the surface, shaping our actions more than we’d like to admit.

When Fear Becomes the Unseen Boss

You’ve probably felt it: the hesitation to hire again after a bad experience, the reluctance to delegate for fear someone might mess it up (or worse, do it better than you), or the dread that creeps in before a tough team conversation.

Fear doesn't always scream. Sometimes, it whispers doubt, second guesses, and what-ifs until you’re paralysed by indecision. And here's the thing—your team can see it. Even if you think you’re playing it cool, fear leaks out in your tone, your body language...