You hired a manager so you could finally step out of the day-to-day. Instead, you’re double checking their work, answering every question, and more exhausted than when you did it all yourself. If you’ve ever thought “nobody can run this store as well as I can,” this episode is for you.
Cathy sits down with April Sabral, who has spent thirty years leading retail teams at companies like Apple, Starbucks, Gap, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea. April went from running one store to leading more than 300, and she’s the founder of Ripple Leadership, the world’s first leadership operating system. Together they talk about why your team takes its cues from what’s going on in your head, and the simple shifts that get your managers leading without you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why seeing your team as an expense instead of an investment keeps you stuck on the sales floor
- What the leadership lid is and why your team will only rise as high as you do
- The three ways to communicate with your team: directing, training, and coaching
- How AI can give you time back to spend with your people
- The WIN acronym for giving feedback without conflict
Key Takeaways
- Your thoughts become your culture. If your team only gets things 90% done, they may be picking up on your belief that things won’t be done right unless you do them.
- Raise your leadership lid. “So if your leadership level is five, your staff is only going to be at three. You have to keep raising your leadership lid.”
- Talk less, listen more. Coaching is 80% listening and 20% speaking. If your meeting is just updates, it could have been a text message.
- Use WIN for hard conversations. When this happens, it makes me feel like, and this is what I need from you.
Your Millie Moment: This Week, Do These Four Things
- Ask the question. The next time a team member comes to you with a question or problem, stop before you answer. Ask, “What would you do if I wasn’t here?” Listen to their answer and coach the gap.
- Flip your huddle. Instead of telling your team the goal and the to-do list, ask them to speak. Start with “What are you grateful for today?” and then ask, “What’s one thing you’re not confident in that I could teach you today?”
- Take the 24-hour challenge. Try taking “I,” “me,” and “mine” out of your language for one day. Notice how often you’re talking about yourself instead of getting others to talk.
- Tell your team what you’re doing. Let them know you’re working on your coaching skills and that meetings are going to change. Being open about it makes you more human and helps them come along with you.
Resources & Links
- Connect with April at aprilsabral.com to learn more about the Ripple Leadership operating system, her books, training, and cohorts. Follow her on LinkedIn.
- Ready to free up cash and finally build wealth from your store? Apply for your free Gameplan Call, where we'll identify your growth opportunities and map out your most profitable next steps.
- Want a behind-the-scenes look at how our top clients grow profit without burning out? Our free training, Beyonf Busy: 3 Shifts to reclaim Your Time and Boost Store Income, walks you through the exact method we use in our Profit Club focusing on your role as CEO, CIO, and CFO to grow a business that's both profitable.
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💚 Remember: Your team is not broken. You just haven’t known what else to do. Leadership isn’t something you figure out on your own. It’s something you practice every day. You have the power to change, and to create the retail life you’ve always dreamed of. You are astonishingly fabulous, and you are loved.
