47 - Hiring Friends and Family Members

Be the Anchor – Strategies and Support for Small Business Owners

In this insightful episode, Kari Lotzien, a seasoned business and leadership coach, unpacks the complexities of hiring friends and family members in small businesses. Drawing from personal experiences and her work with clients, Kari provides actionable advice on how to make this sensitive arrangement work while maintaining professional boundaries and fostering business growth.

Whether you’re a small business owner in a close-knit community or simply considering bringing a familiar face into your team, this episode will guide you on navigating the challenges and opportunities involved in hiring and retaining great employees.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Mindset Triggers in Hiring Friends and Family
   • Common scenarios leading to these hires: personal compassion or business emergencies.
   • How to step into the CEO role and evaluate decisions objectively.
     
2. Keeping the Hiring Process Fair:
   • Importance of treating friends and family like any other candidate.
   • Why resumes, interviews, and reference checks are non-negotiable.
   • Setting equitable standards to ensure a fair workplace.
     
3. Defining Roles and Responsibilities:
   • How clear job descriptions and boundaries support healthy relationships.
   • Tips for balancing personal connections with professional expectations.
     
4. Navigating Bias and Accountability:
   • Recognizing and mitigating loyalty bias and the halo effect.
   • Establishing systems and metrics to ensure fairness across the team.
     
5. Planning for Sticky Situations:
   • Preparing for potential challenges like performance issues or role transitions.
   • The importance of regular assessments and open communication.
     
6. Real-Life Examples:
   • Kari shares a personal story about hiring her daughter during a peak business period, highlighting a couple of key strategies to making this work well

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

• Treat every hire, friend or family, as a professional decision.
• Use systems and processes to maintain fairness and protect relationships.
• Plan ahead for potential issues, including how to handle exits gracefully.

Special Offer:
Take the Leadership Style Quiz to discover your strengths and receive personalized strategies and podcast recommendations tailored to your current business stage and your style of leadership.

Work with Kari:

• Anchored Leadership Academy
• Private Business and Leadership Coaching

Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:

• Website: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd
• Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Linked In: Kari Lotzien

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