Hiring your first team member or have an existing team that you want to lead well? This is for you. Kaitlin Christopherson is sharing practical ways you can intentionally build a positive team culture as you grow your equine business.
Welcome to the show notes! Remember, this is a brief summary from the How to Market Your Horse Business podcast. You'll want to listen to the entire episode for all the good stuff!
We talk a lot on this podcast about how to grow your horse business. So what do you do when part of your growth process involves hiring team members?
Or, if you're someone who already has team members in place, how do you make sure they are the right people? Can you guarantee they have the same heart for your customers and clients that you have?
If you've ever made a hire that didn't work out or walked into an existing business where you had to manage a team, then you know how important it is to cultivate a culture in your business that seeps the values that you stand for in your business.
That's why I'm excited for you to meet Kaitlin Christopherson, CEO of Grand Slam Social, recently renamed GSS The Agency, a social digital media consulting agency with a client list that includes the Breeder’s Cup and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Cup
Unlike many of my podcast guests, Kaitlin is not the founding owner of the business she's helped to build. (Although she did become a joint owner in the building process!) Owner or not, as the CEO, Kaitlin has been responsible for building the team environment and culture of the business.
And, she's filled with practical advice and examples of how you can intentionally build a positive team culture inside your equine business.
Whether you have an existing team or you’re about to hire your first team member, this is for you.
But, first …
Before you can build a positive team culture, Kaitlin reminded us that you must first define the culture of your equine business.
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you define the culture of your equine business:
What are the cultural markers you want to define your business?
What will you reward in your business?
What do you want your business to exemplify?
What do you want people to experience when they work with you?
5 Practical Ways to Build A Positive Team Culture In Your Equine Business
Choose the right people.
Hire based on culture as a filter. You’re responsible for putting the right people in the right places. Decide ahead of time the characteristics that describe your ideal team members.
Motivate through understanding, demonstration, and goals.
You have to demonstrate as a leader the values you want your team members to reflect.
Show vulnerability as a leader.
Team is not just one person supporting everybody.
It’s a team of people working together toward a common goal.
Acknowledge strengths and weaknesses.
Everyone wants to hear they’re doing a good job.
Provide honest feedback and partner together for improvements.
Allow team members to grow—even if it’s stressful.
You as the leader need to allow yourself to grow, too. Reminder: growth is not always comfortable. Part of being a good leader involves developing your team.
BONUS: Create regular and intentional meetings with your team.
There should be a clear agenda for your meetings.
Remember to review your overall vision, mission, and goals you are working towards.
Of course, you'll want to listen to the full episode to dig into each of the insights shared and discover how you can apply each one in your horse business!
Links Mentioned In This Episode
Kaitlin Christopherson Linked In | Instagram | GSS The Agency
Lessons on Building a Brick and Mortar Horse Business with Amy Bond [Episode 140]
The Key to Your Horse Business Success? Be the CEO with Kelly Giordano [Episode 145]
FREE The Horse Business Owner's Guide to Making Money Online
Take the Reins: 1:1 Marketing Coaching for Equestrian Entrepreneurs
Rate, Review & Follow in Apple Podcast
‘I love How to Market Your Horse Business.’ <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people (just like you) grow their horse business so they can be out in the barn doing what they love. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Not an Apple person? Other directories don't have a rate or review option right now, but you can still subscribe/follow! Click here for Google Podcasts or here for Spotify.