Transform Your Workplace
What Leaders Get Wrong About Helping Their Struggling People
Why It Matters
Understanding the nuanced reasons behind employee struggles helps leaders prevent burnout, improve productivity, and retain talent, especially in fast‑moving or resource‑limited environments. This episode offers actionable insights that are timely for any organization seeking to foster a supportive culture while maintaining high performance.
Key Takeaways
- •Regular one‑on‑ones reveal employee obstacles and workload fluctuations
- •Open‑ended questions uncover whether struggles are internal or external
- •Leaders must choose between coaching, solving, or just listening
- •Self‑sabotage often stems from outdated beliefs and low self‑awareness
- •Accountability requires clear expectations, resources, and mutual effort
Pulse Analysis
In the episode, Brandon and Lacey stress that consistent one‑on‑one meetings are the foundation for spotting employee friction. Without a regular pulse on workload, managers miss the peaks and valleys that signal a team member is stuck or simply struggling. They recommend open‑ended questions to differentiate internal barriers—such as confidence gaps—from external pressures like resource shortages or personal stress. By listening actively and removing the “backpack” of assumptions, leaders can build trust quickly, allowing employees to share root causes before problems cascade into performance issues.
The conversation shifts to how leaders decide whether to coach, solve, or simply listen. Lacey shares a practical framework: first determine if the employee needs a venting space, a problem‑solving partnership, or direct intervention. She warns against the hero‑complex that drives managers to “fix” everything, noting that many issues resolve when employees are asked, “What have you tried?” This reflective questioning uncovers self‑sabotage rooted in outdated beliefs and low self‑awareness. When resources are scarce, leaders must transparently discuss constraints while encouraging creative work‑arounds, turning a perceived dead‑end into a growth opportunity.
Finally, the hosts tie accountability to clear expectations, adequate tools, and mutual effort. They argue that accountability is not a one‑time judgment but an ongoing two‑way street where both manager and employee invest equally. Before escalating performance management, leaders should audit processes for hidden friction—inefficient workflows, technology gaps, or unclear roles. By modeling vulnerability and sharing their own setbacks, leaders foster a culture where feedback is safe and self‑development thrives. This approach reduces turnover, boosts employee NPS scores, and transforms the leader’s role from a problem‑solver to an enabler of sustainable success.
Episode Description
What should you do when someone on your team is struggling? Most leaders default to jumping in and solving the problem. But that instinct, while well-meaning, can do more harm than good. In this episode, Brandon Laws sits down with Lacey Partipilo, VP of Client Success at Xenium HR, to talk about how leaders can uncover what's really getting in the way of their people's success. They dig into the difference between being stuck and struggling, why leaders need to take their own "backpack" off before coaching conversations, and the ego trap that comes with being the one who always saves the day. If you manage people, this one will change how you show up in your next one-on-one.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to the episode and Lacey Partipilo
1:48 Why regular time with your people is non-negotiable
3:18 The difference between stuck and struggling
4:00 Taking the backpack off: going in with an open mind
5:07 The three conversations: solve it, fix it for me, or let me vent
6:30 Setting ground rules for better one-on-ones
7:30 Helping people solve their own problems by asking better questions
8:48 Patterns that signal someone is struggling
11:48 Building a culture of trust so people can be honest about their gaps
13:50 How self-sabotage and outdated beliefs keep people stuck
16:22 Why accountability starts on day one, not when things fall apart
18:24 The ego trap: why solving feels good but holds your team back
19:48 Angela Perkins' advice on finding fulfillment through your team's success
21:48 Practical changes leaders can make starting now
23:18 Why every leader needs a peer group
A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws
In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."
About Xenium HR
Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more
Connect with Brandon Laws:
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Connect with Lacey Partipilo:
#Leadership #TransformYourWorkplace #PeopleManagement #Coaching #HRLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeDevelopment #XeniumHR #LeadershipDevelopment #OneOnOnes #ManagerTips #PeopleFirst
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