In this episode, we tackle one of the most frustrating (and costly) leadership challenges: working with a team member who’s sure they’re performing… but everyone else sees the truth.

This isn’t just about ego—it’s about the collision between inflated self-worth and a lack of self-awareness. And if you don’t know how to handle it? It can quietly drag down your entire team culture.

We dig into the real danger of overconfident underperformers: why they resist feedback, how they confuse potential with performance, and what to do when coaching just isn’t working.

You’ll also hear:

--Why your highest-potential hire might be your biggest leadership risk

--The 5-question “Coachability Test” that reveals whether someone can grow—or needs to go

--How to stop giving feedback that bounces off, and start building systems that make expectations undeniable

--The real cost of keeping someone who thinks they’re crushing it, but keeps missing the mark

--How to use weekly scorecards, self-assessments, and alignment sprints to cut through the spin

Bottom line: You can’t build a business on ego. And you can’t grow a culture that tolerates spin. But you can create clarity, coachability, and accountability—if you lead with structure, not just hope.

Ready to implement the systems that make it possible?
Visit aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/boost to scale your leadership and eliminate the chaos—for good.

Hey, here is the next one—wherever it fits in the lineup.

Show Notes: The AI Takeover — Tool or Trap?

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the AI revolution—what it really means for small business owners, and why using it wrong could cost you far more than ignoring it altogether.

AI isn’t just a tech trend. It’s a leadership shift.

When used well, it creates white space—time to think, lead, and coach. When used poorly (or not at all), it traps you in the same reactive cycle you’ve been trying to escape.

We explore the “AI paradox” in real-world terms: how AI can create your structure and automate your admin but will never replace your relationships, and why your human connection is now your biggest competitive advantage.

You’ll also hear:

• Why Duolingo’s AI launch backfired—and what it teaches us about trust

• The 5 Cs your team needs to become strategic partners (and how AI can help you create them)

• How most business owners are burned out not from growth—but from doing what AI could have done for them

• The identity shift from operator to catalyst—and how AI makes that possible

Bottom line: AI won’t lead for you. But it will give you the structure and thespace to finally start leading like you were meant to.

Ready to see how it works in your business?
Visit aibusinessscalingblueprint.com and learn how to scale your systems and your leadership—together.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why so many small business teams are disengaged—and what your leadership habits may have to do with it.

Disengagement isn’t about lazy employees. It’s usually about broken systems, unclear expectations, and leaders who are running on fumes.

We explore the real reasons teams stop trying, why yelling is a symptom—not the problem—and how to rebuild trust with systems that do the heavy lifting.

If your team has gone quiet… this is the episode that explains why.

You’ll also hear:

• Why toxic culture is the #1 reason employees quit (and it’s not what you think)

• The hidden cost of yelling, snapping, or reactive leadership

• How small, unspoken leadership promises quietly break trust and performance

• The 5 C’s framework that makes accountability feel like support—not pressure

• How AI-driven systems can make trust, clarity, and consistency automatic

Ready to lead without chaos?

Join us for our workshop "From Chaos to Control—Build a Business That Runs Without You The Plug-and-Play AI System That Frees You to Lead and Grow", June 25 5pm EST

Register here

In this episode, Simone and HR expert Katherine Hartvickson dive deep into one of the most misunderstood — and often avoided — parts of running a business: Human Resources.

HR has a reputation problem. It’s often associated with getting written up, let go, or stuck in bureaucratic red tape. But the truth? Skipping HR is one of the most expensive mistakes a small business owner can make.

Katherine unpacks real-world examples of legal and financial fallout when HR is ignored, and explains how proactive HR systems not only protect your business but help it grow faster and more sustainably.

• Why HR gets a bad rap — and why that perception keeps owners from getting the help they need

• What happens when you wait too long: real-life legal issues that cost businesses tens of thousands

• When to bring in HR support (hint: it’s sooner than you think)

• Fractional HR vs. full-time HR — what small businesses really need

• Why platforms like Goco help, but aren’t the full solution

• How AI is both helping and hurting the hiring process

• The cost of bad hires — and how structured interviews can prevent them

• Legal traps most small businesses don’t even know they’re in

HR isn’t just about compliance. It’s about protecting your time, your team, and your bottom line. If you’re serious about growth, it’s time to stop avoiding HR — and start using it strategically.

You don’t need another time management hack.

You need margin. Breathing room. Strategic space.

That’s what today’s podcast episode is all about: the 80% Rule — and how it could save your sanity, scale your business, and finally get you out of firefighting mode.

Here’s the hard truth I unpack:
Most SBOs don’t have a time problem.
They have a team problem.
Which is actually a leadership problem.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the 80% Rule really means (and why it’s NOT about lowering your standards)

• The key shift top performers make to free up 20% of their time

• How to stop being the bottleneck so your team actually grows without you

• Why “delegating and developing” beats “delegating and hoping” every time

Listen now and start the shift: [Listen to the episode]
Then dive deeper with the AI Business Scaling Blueprint — the system that helps you implement all of this, fast [>> https://aibusinessscalingblueprint.com/sales-page]

Your future self — the one with margin, momentum, and mental clarity — will thank you.

This episode is all about leadership - the stark contrast between fear-based approaches and the type of inspirational leadership that truly drives results. As Simone shares, the old-school leadership styles that may have worked in the past are now falling flat, especially with the influx of younger Gen Z employees entering the workforce.

The reality is that most workplaces today are still dominated by fear-based leadership. Leaders who rule through intimidation, micromanagement, and a fear of consequences. And the costs of this approach are severe - from high turnover and stifled innovation to a complete breakdown in psychological safety.

But there's a better way. Simone walks us through her "Trust-Impact Leadership Model" - a framework built on five key practices that create an environment where people are genuinely inspired to go above and beyond. These include:

1--Replacing fear with psychological safety, where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and learn from mistakes
2--Building "empathetic accountability" based on mutual commitment, not just imposed consequences
3--Developing cross-generational communication skills to bridge gaps and tap into diverse perspectives
4--Balancing clear guardrails with genuine autonomy, empowering teams to think and act strategically
5--Leading with "compassionate candor" - framing feedback as an investment in someone's growth

Simone shares how one of her clients transformed their entire culture using these principles, driving a 62% increase in Gen Z retention, a 47% boost in innovation, and an 18% jump in revenue per employee.

The key takeaway is that this isn't about being "soft" - it's about creating the conditions for people to thrive. When you earn trust rather than demand compliance, you unlock creativity, commitment, and the kind of strategic thinking that helps your business scale and succeed.

The conversation underscores how authenticity in business creates both fulfillment and market success. By introducing Jung's archetypes, they offer a framework for entrepreneurs to connect with their true selves and communicate more effectively.

Nicky introduces their innovative AI profiling tool for brand archetypes that's helping craft targeted marketing messages.

For more info or to connect with Nicky go to: https://www.thethoughtleaderrevolution.com/about

AI is revolutionizing small businesses across all industries - from contractors to medical clinics to restaurants. What previously took weeks or months (accountability frameworks, hiring systems, org charts) can now be done in minutes with tools like the AI Business Scaling Blueprint, which combines AI efficiency with my 20+ years of leadership expertise. This isn't just about technology; it's about creating self-sustaining businesses that don't depend on owner micromanagement.

Key competitive advantages for businesses embracing AI:
• Automated decision-making processes
• Higher team accountability
• Scaling without additional hours or staff
• Owners transitioning to true CEO roles
• More strategic focus and less operational chaos

The hesitation is understandable - learning curves feel daunting when you're already busy. But the cost of waiting grows daily as competitors pull ahead.

The AI Business Scaling Blueprint addresses common pain points by transforming operational chaos into streamlined systems that reduce owner dependency and enable strategic growth.