In this episode of The Conscious Salon Podcast, we dive into a conversation that every salon owner and team leader needs to hear - how to spot red flags in your team and what to do when they come up. If you've ever felt confused or blindsided by a team member’s behaviour, you're not alone. We’ve been there too.

After years in leadership, managing a range of personalities and navigating the ups and downs of salon culture, we’re sharing our biggest lessons when it comes to recognising behaviours that just aren’t aligned. From subtle signals like passive resistance to full-blown walkouts, we break down how red flags can show up - and why ignoring them only costs you more in the long run.

In this episode, we cover:

• What red flag behaviours look like (even the sneaky ones)
• The difference between a red flag team member and red flag behaviour
• How some red flags are actually a sign of deeper misalignment
• Why a high-performing culture can't afford passive leadership
• How to move a red flag behaviour into green flag territory
• The lessons we've learnt through our own leadership mistakes (yes, even the time one of us got flipped off)
• And why our current team feels like the greenest of green flags

We also give you three powerful practical tips for how to consciously and calmly deal with team red flags - including exactly what to say, what not to do, and how to create space for accountability and change.

This episode is packed with leadership gold, real stories, and a few laughs (including a throwback to Faulty Towers and some classic Simpsons references). But more importantly, it’s a reminder that red flags are not the end of the road - they’re your invitation to lead differently.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t ignore the signs: subtle red flag behaviours (like team members throwing others under the bus or being outwardly agreeable but quietly resistant) are just as important to address as the big ones.
• You can turn red into green: with the right feedback and structure, some red flag team members can become your biggest allies.
• Passive leadership costs culture: addressing misalignment directly (and early) helps build stronger, more resilient teams.
• Team harmony comes from values alignment, not just surface-level niceties.
• Our growth as leaders often sits on the other side of the most uncomfortable conversations.

Action Steps:

1. Pause Before You React: When you spot a red flag, take a breath. Don’t lead from emotion - lead from intention.
2. Call It In, Not Just Out: Address the behaviour with clarity. Use real examples and link it back to your team values.
3. Have the Alignment Conversation: Ask the question - “Do we need to talk about whether this is still aligned for both of us?”
4. Support With Accountability: Red flag doesn’t mean red card. Give team members the space to reflect and shift.
5. Keep Leading Consciously: Our job is to create space for greatness - and that often starts with getting uncomfortable first.

Loved this episode?

Please share it with another salon owner, subscribe and leave us a 5-star review. It helps more conscious leaders find us and join this conversation. And remember: red flags don’t mean failure - they’re a call to evolve.

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