S3E70 Leadership Lessons: From Team Player to Team Leader: Building & Managing Small Teams Tina Baxter

Leadership Conversation Show Notes

About The Nurse Shark Academy

Welcome to the Leadership Conversations segment of The Nurse Shark Academy Show, available to our patron members and members of The Nurse Shark Academy.

My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.

This episode we dive into “From Team Player to Team Leader: Building & Managing Small Teams”. I’m Tina Baxter, nurse entrepreneur, business mentor, and founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. Today’s episode is a game-changer for any nurse stepping into leadership as a business owner.

If you’ve ever gone from working alongside a team to leading one—especially your own team—you know it’s a whole different world. As nurses, we’re natural collaborators. But when you’re the CEO, the visionary, the one everyone’s looking for direction—it’s not just about pitching in. It’s about leading with clarity, consistency, and confidence. Let’s talk about how to lead your first team—whether it's one virtual assistant or five contractors—with ease and intention.

One of the biggest challenges nurse entrepreneurs faces? Letting go. We’re used to doing it all ourselves—and doing it well. But in business, trying to do everything leads to burnouts and bottlenecks. Here’s a quick mindset shift: Delegation is not abandonment. It’s empowerment. Micromanagement, on the other hand, happens when you delegate without trust. It’s a lose-lose situation. Your team feels stifled, and you stay stuck in the weeds. The goal? Delegate with clear expectations and strong communication. Then let your team shine.

 

If you’re building or leading a small team, I want you to remember The 3 C’s: 1. Clarity – Define roles, expectations, and outcomes clearly. Use job descriptions, SOPs, and checklists. 2. Communication – Weekly check-ins, clear feedback, and open-door policy—even if it’s virtual. Slack, Voxer, email—pick your method, but be consistent. 3. Culture – What values drive your business? Compassion, timeliness, excellence? Share them and live them. Culture starts with you. Great teams don’t happen by accident; they’re built intentionally by leaders like you.

🎯 Your action steps this week: Choose one task that’s draining your energy and create a 3-step SOP (standard operating procedure) to delegate it. You don’t need to hire a full-time employee to get help—start small and start smart. And if you’re serious about becoming a confident, powerful nurse leader in business, then I invite you to join us inside The Nurse Shark Academy. We give you the tools, mentorship, and community you need to grow a sustainable, profitable nurse-led business—without burnout or overwhelm. Visit www.thenursesharkacademy.biz  and apply today. Spots are limited and we’re enrolling right now. Thanks for tuning in to The Nurse Shark Academy Show. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a fellow nurse entrepreneur, and keep leading boldly. You’re not just building a business—you’re building a legacy. See you next time!

Tag me @  https://www.instagram.com/thenursesharkacademy/

or post in The Nurse Shark Academy Facebook group—I’d love to see how you're stepping into CEO confidence.

 

Let us help you get started in your next healthcare business venture by giving you a strong foundation on which to build your dreams. We offer individual consultation, group coaching, and a community of nurse entrepreneurs to support your entrepreneurial journey.

As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Samsung, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at [e-mail] or visit our website at  https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/.

Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products.

Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/

Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate li