This was an uncomfortable conversation…

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.Nicole and I were on a weekend getaway at a Nordic Spa, enjoying a relaxing moment in one of the warming pools with a handful of other guests who were conversing in disparate groups. A new couple entered the pool, found a place to sit near us, and began their own conversation that started with, “my therapist told me to ask you…” The exchange was deeply personal, often argumentative, and I kept waiting for one of them to suggest they not continue it in public.(It’s not eavesdropping if someone brings their emotionally charged conversation to your front porch, is it?)After they left Nicole looked at me and said, “what was that?” to which I replied with a grin, “at least they were still talking.”After all, arguing might not be ideal, but it’s better than avoiding the weighty issues altogether. Silence is worse.Here’s where this intersects with your small business: at some point you will want to avoid addressing employee issues, systemic issues, or financial issues, but avoidance won’t get you closer to a business that works for you.When confronted with a problem for which you can’t immediately solve, include your team and check in with them regularly to see if anyone has come up with an unexpected solution.Talking through it out loud can help unlock new possibilities. So can the repetition of bringing it up regularly.In the same way that you see black trucks EVERYWHERE once you start shopping for one, keeping the uncomfortable or vexing issues of the day top-of-mind for everyone makes it more likely that someone will stumble across helpful ideas.You don’t have to conjure every solution on your own. Your team can be a tremendous help, but you have to talk to them.Avoidance only delays your chance to be free.The new year is right around the corner and I want you to start 2025 with complete clarity about how you want your business to work for you. Grab my new PDF, 3 Questions Every Small Business Owner Should Answer Before The End of the Year, and you’ll not only be primed to clarify how to get more of what you want from your business, but you’ll have a chance to grab 90-minutes of free coaching with me.