What if hiring someone isn’t the answer… because you haven’t defined your OWN job yet?

In this episode, I’m joined by Ash Battye - leadership coach, business owner and founder of Emerald HQ - to unpack the not-so-glamorous but super essential reality of hiring in small business.

We dive into what actually needs to happen before you post your first job ad (spoiler: it starts with YOU), how to delegate without micromanaging, and how to recover if a hire isn’t the right fit.

Whether you’re prepping for your first VA or trying to grow your team with intention, this episode will help you step into your leadership role with clarity and confidence.

We chat:

• Why defining your own role is step one before hiring anyone
• What mindset shift helps small business owners become strong leaders
• How to attract the right candidates (and avoid hiring from overwhelm)
• The difference between delegation and micromanagement
• What to do if a hire isn’t working out, and how to handle it with integrity

Timestamps
Intro 0:00
Interview 1:58
Wrap up 41:28

About Ash Battye and Emerald HQ
At Emerald HQ, we support women in business to build teams that actually work - the kind where people share your values, take ownership, and grow with the business. We focus on hiring the right people the first time, HR admin that sets you up for long-term success, leadership support that helps you step out of being the employee and into your role as leader of your business, and defining and embedding culture that attracts and keeps the right people. Everything we do is real-world, people-first, practical, and built for small businesses. Founded by Ash, Chief Hiring Nerd and Hiring & Leadership Partner, our work combines clarity, culture, and confidence to create trusted teams and sustainable success. At Emerald HQ, our focus is ultimately on supporting women to build with intention a business they enjoy and life they love, whatever success looks like for them.

Connect with Ash:
https://www.instagram.com/emeraldhqau/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighbattye/

Step into your role as leader of your business and join the Emerald Leaders Lounge as a founding member for just $79 per month - https://www.emeraldhq.com.au/emerald-leaders-lounge

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/im279J3cqV8
Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep238/

WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio