Big Dreams Great Teams® with Paula Maidens

Have you ever wondered why some tasks energise you while others leave you drained? Or why certain people’s problem-solving approaches make perfect sense to you, while others leave you feeling baffled? 

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula Maidens explores the fascinating world of thinking preferences and how understanding them can transform your leadership style and team dynamics.

Paula shares her journey with the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), a powerful tool that has redefined the way she leads, collaborates, and even connects in her personal life. Drawing on real-world examples from her business journey, Paula explains how the four quadrants of thinking—analytical, practical, relational, and creative—shape how we approach problems, make decisions, and communicate.

Whether you're the quick-to-act practical thinker or the big-picture creative dreamer, this episode will help you uncover your brain’s natural preferences and understand how they influence your leadership and team interactions. 

Paula also shares how stress impacts our default thinking patterns and offers practical insights on harnessing the strengths of your team’s diverse thinking styles to achieve big dreams together.

Tune in to discover how aligning your leadership style with your natural thinking preferences can unlock higher performance, joy and satisfaction for you and your team.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The four thinking modes and what they mean for your leadership.
• How to identify your natural problem-solving style and recognise blind spots.
• Tips to harness the strengths of different thinking styles within your team.

Hit play now and start uncovering the secrets to becoming a self-aware, effective leader!

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who would find it valuable!

CHAPTERS

[00:01] Introduction to thinking preferences and how they affect leadership

[02:22] A personal story: Navigating conflict through different thinking styles

[06:41] Revisiting the HBDI tool: What it reveals about brain preferences

[08:59] How stress shifts our default thinking patterns

[11:13] Overview of the four thinking quadrants: Analytical, Practical, Relational, Creative

[15:34] Practical applications of thinking preferences in business and leadership

[20:56] Key takeaway: Leveraging thinking differences for team success

RESOURCES & Next Steps:
Want to discover your thinking style? Connect with Paula for an HBDI assessment and debrief at https://paulamaidens.com/ 

Grab a time straight in Paula’s diary by Booking a Dream Team Discovery Call

CONNECT with Paula: 

Website:https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Allana Ford, the founder and CEO of Muse Pilates, who has built an incredible fitness empire across Australia in just five years. Since opening her first studio in December 2019, Allana has grown Muse Pilates to 13 locations with nearly 100 team members - and she's just getting started.

In this conversation with Paula, Allana openly shares her leadership journey and the essential business insights that drove her successful scaling story - from building high-performing teams to successfully launching into franchising. 

In this episode, Allana shares her entrepreneurial journey with refreshing honesty, including:

• How a personal setback led to spotting a gap in the market
• The real challenges of scaling while raising young children
• Key turning points in her business growth
• Recent exciting developments including franchising and online education

If you're looking to scale your business or dream of building something bigger than yourself, this episode is packed with practical insights. 

Allana gets candid about:

• The critical decisions that accelerated her growth
• How she's built and maintained quality across multiple locations
• Her approach to building high-performing teams
• The realities of protecting your energy while scaling

You'll especially love this episode if you're:

• A business owner looking to scale
• Interested in franchising opportunities
• Balancing business growth with family life
• Looking for practical leadership insights

Don't miss this honest conversation about what it really takes to build a multi-million dollar business while maintaining high standards and a great culture.

Highlights

[00:01:33] From startup to scale: The Muse Pilates origin story 
 [03:35] Critical business scaling lessons from the early years 
 [05:30] Leadership strategies while managing rapid growth 
 [08:06] Essential systems for scaling from 2 to 13 studios 
 [12:14] Team building and hiring processes evolution 
 [21:52] Strategic business expansion through franchising 
 [27:50] Scaling through online business diversification 
 [30:55] Key leadership decisions that accelerated growth

Connect With Allana

Instagram @theallanaford and Tiktok @allana.ford
Website: musepilates.com.au and spicypilates.com 

Connect with Paula 

Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/

Keen to explore working with Paula? >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

In this episode, Paula shares her thoughts on the debate between time management and energy management.  Paula reflects on a recent discussion she heard about the shift from time management being the gold standard to energy management taking the lead and explores how both concepts are crucial for productivity and well-being, ultimately arguing that they complement each other rather than compete.

Highlights

• Effectively managing time creates the space needed for energy management practices.
• Without time awareness, maximising energy becomes challenging.
• Balancing time and energy is essential for achieving high performance.
• Each person has different brain thinking styles, affecting how they approach tasks and manage time and energy.
• Recognising your thinking patterns can enhance your efficiency and enjoyment in business.
• Learn a little about different brain thinking styles and their impact on productivity.

Resources Mentioned:

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey
 "The Power of Full Engagement" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

Connect with Paula: 

Website:https://paulamaidens.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamaidens/

Explore Working with Paula:

Check out & Book a 90 Minute Strategic Clarity Session with Paula >> Here

Not sure what you need? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula sits down with Dr. Jodi Richardson, a leading expert on anxiety and mental health, to dive deep into the complexities of anxiety, stress management, and burnout. Dr. Jodi shares her personal journey and professional insights, offering practical tools and strategies for managing anxiety in both personal and professional contexts.

You'll gain a clear understanding of the difference between normal and problematic anxiety, and learn effective techniques to manage in-the-moment anxiety and reduce overall stress. They also discuss how to recognize the signs of burnout and the critical connection between anxiety and burnout.

If you're a business owner or manager, Dr. Jodi provides valuable advice on supporting team members struggling with anxiety. You'll learn how to approach mental health conversations in the workplace, recognize the signs of burnout in yourself and others, and provide meaningful support for a more resilient team.

Highlights:

• Understanding the difference between normal vs. problematic anxiety
• Practical strategies for managing anxiety and reducing stress in the moment
• Why avoidance and anxiety are often linked
• Addressing mental health in the workplace and supporting team members with anxiety
• Key signs you're nearing burnout and how to manage it before it impacts your mental health

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anxiety and Burnout

02:48 Understanding Anxiety: Definitions and Symptoms

06:11 Normal vs. Problematic Anxiety

09:05 Practical Strategies for Managing Anxiety

12:04 Supporting Others with Anxiety in the Workplace

18:52 The Connection Between Anxiety and Burnout

30:00 The Importance of Connection for Mental Health

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

Website: https://drjodirichardson.com/

Books:https://drjodirichardson.com/shop/

Hello Anxiety Podcast https://podfollow.com/1585382774

Enquiries:[email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodirichardson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJodiRichardson/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jodi-richardson-15589240/

Connect with Paula: 

Website:https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula dives deep into the strategic activities you can prioritise in Q4 to wrap up 2024 on a high note and set your business and team up for success in 2025. 

From celebrating wins and reflecting on lessons learned to checking in on your team's well-being, this episode is packed with actionable insights for small business owners. 

Paula shares practical tips for incorporating team feedback, recognition, and incentives into your year-end planning. 

Plus, she explores how these activities will minimise your potential staff turnover, by boosting your team morale and create a proactive, high-performing team who are excited for the year ahead. 

Don't skip this episode! 

Highlights

• • Strategic activities to prioritise in Q4  to set your business and team up for success in 2025
  • Why it’s critical to recognise your team's hard work and how learning and reflection activities will boost your culture and proactivity in 2025
  • Whether end-of-year Team Member check-ins are necessary (or if they can be rolled to the new year).
  • Simple ways to incorporate incentives into End Of Year celebrations like Christmas parties in an online or in person way
  • Which of these to choose or skip if you are feeling BUSY (or maybe just super tired!) as you run to the finish line of 2024

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Year-End Strategies

04:22 Capacity Planning and Resource Allocation

08:09 The Importance of Performance Reviews

10:58 Goal Setting for the New Year

12:46 Team Reflection and Celebrating Wins

15:33 Feedback and Team Check-Ins

19:18 Recognition, Incentives, and Rewards

23:31 Strategic Planning for 2025

LINKS:

Check out & Book a 90 Minute Strategic Clarity Session with Paula >> Here

Not sure what you need? Book a FREE call to discuss what's right for you >> Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

CONNECT with Paula on Socials: 

Website:https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, we dive into the strategies that can help small business owners turn challenging days into opportunities for growth and innovation and ultimately make business more profitable and sustainable. 

Paula is joined by special guest Peta Serras, founder of Professional Babe, who shares her extensive entrepreneurial journey and insights into profitability, email marketing, and business automation. 

We discuss the importance of setting up businesses for sustainability, particularly through effective onboarding processes and the use of email marketing as a powerful tool for engagement and sales. 

Peta shares her 'bad day business model' concept to build a resilient and profitable business and we explore the role of AI in streamlining business operations, team management and business strategies.

Dive in to hear the transformative power of business automation and how this can help you to keep your team costs low and lean.

What You’ll Learn:

• Effective Email Marketing: Discover how to leverage email marketing to communicate with your team and clients during tough times, ensuring clarity and collaboration.
• Smart Business Automation: Learn how implementing business automation tools can streamline your operations, allowing you to focus on strategic growth rather than daily chaos.
• Team Management Techniques: Practical team management techniques to foster a supportive environment.
• Building a Resilient Business Model: Understand how to create a 'bad day' business model that prepares you for unexpected challenges and maintains your momentum.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Peta Serres and Her Journey

03:02 The Importance of Profitability and Streamlining

05:52 Email Marketing: A Game Changer for Businesses

08:55 Onboarding and Customer Experience Automation

11:55 Building a Bad Day Business Model

14:51 The Role of AI in Business Efficiency

18:01 Identifying Opportunities for Automation

21:02 Behind the Scenes: Peta's Team and Operations

23:52 Key Takeaways and Final Advice

CONNECT with Peta:

Website — https://www.professionalbabe.com/

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/professionalbabe/

Give Good Email — https://www.professionalbabe.com/give-good-email/

CONNECT with Paula: 

Website: https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

Explore working with Paula Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of building a strong and loyal team—rewarding employees. As your small business grows, choosing the right remuneration model can be a game-changer for attracting and retaining top talent. From salary-based pay to commission structures and staff incentive schemes, we’ll cover the simplest and most effective ways to reward your team and keep them motivated.

Join me, Paula Maidens, as I walk you through the most common pay models that small businesses like yours are using today—including salary-based pay, hourly wages, commission-based structures, and performance bonuses. I’ll also touch on more advanced incentive-based remuneration models and when they might make sense for your business. Tune in for real-world examples from both Australian and global companies, and learn how these models can help you create a high-performing team without complicating your payroll.

Whether you're hiring your first employee or scaling your team, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you choose the right approach for rewarding your staff effectively!

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The key differences between salary-based, commission-based, and performance-based pay models.
• Real-world examples of businesses using these pay structures to grow their teams.
• Why staff incentive schemes are more than just a perk—they're essential for employee motivation and retention.
• Simple tips for implementing a pay model that suits your business needs and budget.
• How to avoid common pitfalls when choosing a remuneration model for your small business.

Takeaways: Rewarding your employees is more than just paying a salary—it's about creating a staff incentive schemes that drives performance and builds a loyal, motivated team. Listen to this episode to discover the best ways to implement pay models that work for your small business, without overcomplicating the process!

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Pay Structures in Business

03:06 Exploring Salary-Based Remuneration

06:07 Hourly Wage Model Explained

08:51 Commission-Based Pay: Incentivizing Sales

12:05 Performance-Based Bonuses: Rewarding Achievements

17:47 Incentive-Based Remuneration: Flexibility in Rewards

22:53 Complex Models: Profit Sharing and Equity

30:09 Choosing the Right Pay Structure

Explore working with Paula:

Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

Connect with Paula: 

Website: https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, host Paula Maidens dives into the five critical leadership habits that CEOs of small businesses need to break in order to scale successfully. 

As your business grows, the leadership strategies that worked in the early days often become roadblocks to further success. Paula explores common pitfalls such as expecting employees to work at the same speed as the CEO, hiring for comfort rather than business needs, and promoting based on tenure. 

Packed with practical advice, real-life examples, and insights on how to shift your mindset, this episode is essential listening for small business CEOs looking to elevate their leadership and grow their teams effectively.

Tune in to discover how breaking these leadership habits can help you build a stronger, more scalable business.

Highlights

• Stop thinking, I'll tell them once and then they should just do it.
• Context creates clarity in communication.
• You can't expect everybody to work as fast as you do.
• Your job as a leader is to build a cohesive team.
• Hire for skills and capabilities, not for comfort or familiarity.
• Loyalty should not be the sole reason for promotions.
• Comfort in hiring can limit business growth.
• Leadership requires letting go of old habits.
• Stretching yourself is essential for business growth.
• Your business will only grow to the extent you're willing to be uncomfortable.

Chapters

00:00 Elevating Leadership: Key Traps to Avoid

06:12 Building a Diverse and Effective Team

12:31 The Importance of Challenging Comfort Zones

Explore working with Paula 

Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

Connect with Paula: 

Website: https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

In this episode, Paula reveals five proven strategies to measure and optimise your team’s productivity. With real-world examples, she demonstrates how increasing team productivity leads directly to higher profitability and greater financial success for your business.

If you’re a small business owner committed to growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you quickly identify areas where your team can improve and drive tangible gains in efficiency and profit.

Highlights

• How to create a clear roadmap to success for your team with self-tracking, defined goals, and KPIs.
• The hidden links between high-quality work, rework costs, and how they impact your profitability.
• The often-overlooked power of team collaboration, and how to measure its direct impact on your bottom line.
• The unnoticed opportunity cost of disengaged employees, and how their lack of initiative could be limiting your profits.

Every successful small business should prioritise productivity—tune in to discover how to transform your team’s performance and boost your financial results!

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Productivity in Small Businesses
06:16 Chapter 2: The Impact of Quality Work on Profitability
09:54 Chapter 3: Timely Delivery: A Key to Increased Revenue
12:08 Chapter 4: Team Collaboration: Eliminating Bottlenecks and Boosting Efficiency
15:07 Chapter 5: The Power of Employee Engagement in Driving Profitability
22:01 Conclusion: The Link Between Productivity and Profitability

Explore Working With Paula:

Book a Dream Team Discovery Call

Connect with Paula: 

Website:https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams

Jane McFadden, an entrepreneur, former psychologist, author, neurodiversity specialist, and neuroscientist, shares her personal experience and academic knowledge on ADHD, entrepreneurship, and business. 

She discusses her journey from traditional psychology to starting her own psychology company (now the largest in Australia), and the challenges she faced in the early years as a neurodivergent individual.

Jane talks about the importance of understanding neurodivergent individuals and breaking the stigma surrounding autism and ADHD. 
 
 She shares her experiences with managing a team and the difficulties she faces in small talk, performance management and prioritizing tasks.

Dive in to hear this open, raw and real conversation where Paula and Jane discuss neurotypical versus neurodivergent traits and the challenges and strengths of being an entrepreneur with ADHD and in particular, the unique perspectives and abilities of neurodivergent entrepreneurs overall. 

Highlights

• Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD and autism, may struggle in traditional work settings and with consistency in tasks
• Understanding and accepting neurodivergent individuals is crucial in breaking the stigma surrounding autism and ADHD.
• Neurodivergent individuals may have unique strengths, such as intense focus and attention to detail, that can contribute to their success in specific areas.
• Self-awareness and self-diagnosis are important for individuals with ADHD, even if they choose not to pursue a formal diagnosis.
• Being aware of how your brain works and understanding the needs of your team and family members is essential for creating an inclusive environment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jane McFadden

05:29 Starting Body and Mind Online: Challenges and Early Years

12:43 Managing Staff and Overcoming Struggles

18:10 Understanding Autism and ADHD: Language and Awareness

29:09 The Expertise and Challenges of Being an ADHD Entrepreneur

30:05 The Benefits of Entrepreneurship for Neurodivergent Individuals

32:08 Navigating Team Management and Small Talk

36:44 The Highs and Lows of ADHD and Entrepreneurship

39:34 Finding the Right Balance and Prioritizing Tasks

44:47 The Importance of Hiring Thinkers

49:26 The Power of Self-Awareness and Inclusion

Connect with Jane

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/adhd_mums/

Website www.adhdmums.com.au

Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/adhd-mums/id1686843092

Connect with Paula: 

Website: https://paulamaidens.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulamaidensconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulamaidensbuildingawesometeams