Let’s be real — firing someone is one of the scariest parts of building a team. And if you’re anything like me (and most of the entrepreneurs I work with), that fear can quietly stop you from hiring at all.

In this episode, I’m walking you through why that fear holds us back, especially for those of us who are deeply empathetic, conscious leaders, and how to actually navigate letting someone go in a way that’s ethical, transparent, and human-centered.

I’m sharing the story of the time I was let go (with zero notice, after a glowing performance review 🙃) and walking you through how to lead through this moment with integrity.

💫 Why our fear of firing often has nothing to do with the actual act—and everything to do with identity and guilt

💫 The difference between firing someone and letting someone go—and why it matters

💫 How to build in systems that help you make these decisions with clarity (not chaos)

💫 What ethical leadership really looks like when things get hard—and how to honor the worth of work on both sides

This episode is part practical strategy, part permission slip to move forward. If you’ve been holding yourself back because you’re afraid of becoming “that boss,” let’s reframe this together. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being prepared, grounded, and deeply human in your leadership.

If that’s you, hit play.

✨ If you’re feeling overwhelmed by hiring, managing, or navigating tough conversations, let’s talk. Book a free 30-minute consult call with me at worthofwork.com—I’ll call you, no Zoom required. Let’s get you unstuck and moving forward, together.

Gusto HR Software

Interview Questions

💰 Will hourly pay actually punish your most efficient team members? In this eye-opening episode, I challenge the outdated "time equals money" model and r share a better approach that creates more stability for everyone involved. As entrepreneurs, we need to shift our perspective from paying for time to paying for results.

I share a real client dilemma that perfectly illustrates the hidden costs of hourly work: convoluted budgeting, team stress, and the counterintuitive reality that hourly rates reward slower work over quality results. With my signature blend of practical wisdom and personal stories (including my own tax surprise that triggered a week-long nervous system reset!), I break down:

✅ Why paying for time creates unnecessary budget variability and stress for both you and your team members

✅ How to transition from hourly to flat-rate compensation without blowing your budget

✅ Learn why hourly pay actually punishes efficiency and rewards slower work

✅ Three smart alternatives to hourly billing that foster team loyalty and better results

Overall, I deliver a passionate case for why paying for results—not hours—creates healthier businesses and happier teams. That responsibility might feel scary, but creating consistency in how you compensate your team is actually LESS complicated than tracking hourly work and creates a workplace environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and a permission to lead.

Whether you're hiring your first assistant or managing an established team, this episode provides the roadmap for creating compensation structures that reflect your values as a leader who truly cares about building a collaborative workplace culture where everyone thrives.

Want more guidance on building a team within your zone of genius? Book a consulting call at worthofwork.com and let's create that positive ripple effect in your business!

🔥 Need help hiring without becoming the boss you always hated? In this episode, I'm breaking down my signature L.E.A.D framework—a simple yet powerful approach for conscious entrepreneurs who want to build ethical, impactful teams without burning out or losing sight of their values. I share my personal story of being reprimanded for picking up my sick baby while my husband was deployed, and how experiences like these fuel my passion for creating a different kind of leadership culture. This isn't just theory—it's born from real struggle!

In this episode, we explore:

💫 Why hiring feels so intimidating (spoiler: it’s not just about money)

💫 The L.E.A.D. framework: Listen, Enlist, Allow, Delegate—and how it transforms the way you show up as a leader

💫 Why your business is never just about you (and why that’s a good thing!)

💫 How to reconcile your fear of leadership with your desperate need for support

If you’ve ever felt torn between staying small to avoid the responsibility of leading or stepping into your CEO role with confidence, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how to embrace leadership as a force for good—one that uplifts your team, aligns with your values, and creates a positive impact on the world.

Tune in to learn how to lead with heart, stay in your zone of genius, and build a business that feels as good as it looks.

✨ Need personalized help? Book a 30-minute consulting call with me at worthofwork.com—just scroll to the bottom for my calendar. Let’s reimagine leadership together! ✨

If you’re an entrepreneur with big goals, hiring isn’t just a someday thing—it’s inevitable. But here’s the catch: the way most business owners think about paying their team (hint: hourly wages) might be slowing them down.

Host Emily Bronaugh dives deep into why the traditional "time equals money" framework is breaking down—and what innovative alternatives are emerging. Drawing from her background in urban studies and experiences working with online entrepreneurs, she challenges listeners to reimagine how we think about work.

Perfect for:

• Small business owners
• Remote entrepreneurs
• Leaders seeking fresh perspectives on team management
• Professionals feeling burnt out by traditional work structures

In this episode of Worth of Work, we’re breaking down:

✔️ The outdated work models we’ve inherited—and why they don’t serve modern businesses

✔️ Why the "time equals money" mentality is becoming obsolete in the post-AI era

✔️ Balancing productivity gains with improved quality of life

Whether you’re already hiring or just starting to think about it, this episode will help you make smarter decisions—without the overwhelm.

📞 Need help figuring out your next step? Book a free 30-min call at worthofwork.com

📩 Let’s keep the conversation going! DM me on Instagram: @EmilyBronaugh

#FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #WorkplaceTrends

Welcome to Worth of Work – Your Permission to Lead

Feeling stuck in outdated business models? You're not alone. Join Emily Bronaugh—mom, military spouse, and Boss Maker—as she helps women who are actually changing the world—build teams, gain confidence, and finally experience their work as worth it.

Let’s be honest:

💡 Traditional business advice is outdated (hello, post-COVID world!)

💡 We want support, but hiring feels overwhelming

💡 The last thing we want is to create another toxic workplace

The truth? Small businesses like ours aren’t just building teams—we’re redefining work itself. If you’re craving more time, more freedom, and a business that feels good to run, this podcast is for you.

This isn't just another business podcast. It's a movement towards creating work environments that genuinely support people, challenge outdated systems, and create real societal change—one entrepreneur at a time.

Highlights:

• Honest conversations about asking for and finally receiving support
• Strategies for building confident, supportive teams
• Practical approaches to time freedom and business growth

This is your permission to lead. Let’s do this together.

🎙️ Hit subscribe and let’s get started.

Connect with Emily:

• Instagram: @EmilyBronaugh
• Website: worthofwork.com

#WomenEntrepreneurs #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessTransformation