A Hard Lesson Every Business Owner Should Learn
One of the most difficult realities of leadership is having to let go of people you genuinely care about. Over the years, I’ve faced this challenge more times than I’d like to admit-and it never gets easier. As a business owner, mentor, and someone who naturally leans into teaching and development, my instinct is always to help people grow. I want to give them every opportunity, every resource, every last bit of support before making a hard call.
But here’s the truth I’ve had to learn the hard way: waiting too long to act can hurt your business more than making the wrong decision quickly.
I’ve held onto team members longer than I should have, because they weren’t bad people-far from it. Some of them were wonderful people, but they simply weren’t growing at the pace the business required. I believed with the right coaching, they’d catch up. I believed loyalty and time would close the gap. And every time, that belief cost me something far greater: momentum, team morale, and at one point-an entire business location.
When Inaction Becomes the Bigger Risk
Yes, we had to close a location because I didn’t act fast enough.
It’s a brutal truth, but it’s one leaders need to face. Execution isn’t just about making a plan-it’s about following through. And indecision, especially when it comes to personnel or performance, can be fatal.
The location in question was hemorrhaging money for over a year. I rationalized the losses. I waited for things to change. But deep down, I knew the issue was with the person leading the charge and I didn’t move. The fallout nearly took the whole company down. It was a very hard lesson to learn.
Two Hard-Earned Lessons
- Your past conditioning can sabotage your instincts.
I was raised to defer to the men in the room. That conditioning didn’t just shape my personal relationships; it seeped into my business decisions. I doubted myself. I delayed. I deferred. And it cost me. - Feelings can’t override facts.
Empathy is one of my superpowers but it can’t lead the boardroom. Now, I use KPIs (key performance indicators) as my compass. When emotions cloud judgment, data brings clarity. Let’s face it, you can’t bring feelings to a fact fight.
Are You Delaying a Decision You Already Know You Need to Make?
If you’re a business owner or leader, take a moment. Ask yourself:
- What decisions am I avoiding?
- Who on my team is no longer aligned with where we’re going?
- Am I prioritizing comfort over clarity?
You owe it to your team, your vision, and yourself to lead decisively.
Because doing the right thing too late is still the wrong move.
🚀 Ready to Step Into Stronger Leadership?
If you’re facing hard decisions-especially with your team-you don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s talk.
I help leaders gain clarity, build confidence, and take action that aligns with their values and their business goals.
