Kate Gray

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕: 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑻𝒂𝒔𝒌-𝑫𝒐𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏-𝑶𝒘𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔

✨🌟 Hey there, it's Kate again. I’ve got a story to share, one that might sound familiar if you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your team just isn’t clicking the way you dreamed they would.

For the longest time, I was on this hiring spree, bringing in folks I thought would propel us forward. But here's the kicker—it was no fault of theirs, but mine. I thought I needed task-doers, people who could tick off boxes and get stuff done. And guess what? They did just that. They completed tasks, waited for their paycheck, and that’s about it. They just wanted a job, which is totally fine, but it just didn’t vibe with what we were building.

Our startup needed more. We needed people who weren’t just looking for a job but were hungry to grow with us, to meet not just their professional goals but their personal and financial ones too, all while being part of something much larger than themselves.

That’s when it hit me. We didn’t just need employees; we needed intrapreneurs. You know, those entrepreneurial spirits who thrive on bringing their innovation and drive into an existing organization. And when we started to pivot our hiring strategy towards attracting these intrapreneurs, oh boy, did things start to change.

But the evolution didn’t stop there. We craved diversity—not just in backgrounds or personalities, but in thought. We began valuing team members who were bold enough to speak their truth, even if it went against the leadership grain. No more “yes people.” Instead, we welcomed those with unique perspectives, challenging opinions, and the kind of ideas that make you sit up and listen.

And as our team diversity grew, so did our ability to produce outstanding results. It turns out, healthy conflict isn’t just okay; it’s necessary for growth. But let’s be real, attracting these powerhouse thinkers and doers meant we had to up our game in terms of what we offered. High-quality talent comes with a price tag, but it’s one worth paying if you’re serious about scaling.

Here’s the thing—having a team of just employees might work for some, but if you’re like me, dreaming big and wanting to scale, you need to think differently. Show these entrepreneurial minds how they can achieve their dreams within your organization, and watch as they take your vision and run with it. Before you know it, that vision becomes a shared mission, propelling your company to heights you couldn’t reach alone.

Building a company with its own identity, fueled by a diverse group of passionate individuals, has been nothing short of magical. But remember, it all starts with the type of person you bring on board.

So, if you’re in the thick of scaling, take a moment. Reflect on your values, your direction, and be intentional about who you invite to join your journey. The people you hire are the heartbeat of your organization’s growth.

Until next time, here’s to building teams that dream as big as we do.

Yours in scaling,

Kate

𝑳𝒆𝒕'𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒆.. 🤩

Hey there, it’s Kate. I’m sitting here, coffee in hand, reflecting on a moment that kinda turned my world upside down—in a good way. It’s funny, the things that stick with you, right?

So, picture this: I’m in this deep conversation, and out of nowhere, I get hit with, “Kate, you’re the CEO, so I'm just going to lay it out straight—marketers are terrible at managing sales teams.” I mean, come on, how do you not laugh at that? It’s brutally honest, and honestly, I loved it. It made me think, really think about where I started and where I’m at now.

You see, when I kicked things off with my company, my plan was all about AI. No fussing with human sales teams or anything. AI was my jam—predictable, controllable, comfortable. And me? I never really saw myself as a marketer. Nope, I was an entrepreneur through and through. But, as I chewed over those words, something clicked. Maybe, just maybe, I am a marketer at heart. And that’s not such a bad thing.

Now, here’s the kicker—how do I, as this accidental marketer-turned-entrepreneur, build a team of real, breathing humans who know stuff I don’t? Especially in sales. How do I find these magical beings who don’t need me to hold their hand but instead tell me, “Kate, here’s the plan, sit back and watch.”

It’s a weird feeling, you know? Realizing that to truly scale and grow, you’ve gotta step out of your comfort zone and admit, “Hey, I don’t know it all.” It’s not about finding people you can lead by the nose. It’s about finding people who can lead you a bit, too.

Back in the day, I always thought keeping costs low and being super hands-on was the way to go. But let me tell you, that mindset was a roadblock. Big time. With Growth Impact Group, as we expanded (and boy, did we expand in ways I never imagined), I got picky. I started looking for folks who were smarter than me, at least in their own corners of the universe. And suddenly, I’m learning from them in our meetings. How cool is that?

I guess what I’m trying to say is, this whole journey taught me the power of letting go. Not in a “give up” way, but in a “trust others to bring their A-game” way. Henry Ford once said he grew his business by doubling everyone’s pay. Sounds nuts, but there’s wisdom there. You get out what you put in, especially with people.

So, if you’re sitting there, wondering how to take your dream, your business, your passion to the next level—think about your team. It’s not just about finding people who can do the job. It’s about finding people who make you think, “Wow, I never looked at it that way.”

As I sip on my now lukewarm coffee, I want to leave you with this: scaling, growing, evolving—it’s all a wild ride. But with the right folks by your side, folks who might just know a bit more than you in their special areas, you’re not just working on your dream. You’re living it, every single day.

Here’s to growth, to learning, and to finding those people who push you to be better. Let’s keep the conversation going. What’s your take?

Catch you later,

Kate