Unleashing Potential with Shannon

08/29/2026

I was doing a guided run this morning while training for a 10k race. One of the topics to think about was on the idea of coach as a verb and not a noun.

That got me thinking about how we use the word “coach” in business. The action of coaching is to build people up. To guide them and provide mentorship and allow them the opportunity to grow.

When we are leading people, we often say we are coaching them and having coaching conversations. Yet, are we truly building people up? Are we doing all we can to help others develop and grow? In the busyness of the day, are we just giving people the quick answer to get on with our day or are we truly allowing them to think and come to their own decisions?

I’d love to hear your take. Send me a message or comment below. Let me know your experience for coach as a verb and not a noun.

Do you think all coaches embrace the coach as a verb actions?

Do you know people who aren’t formal leaders but act as coaches by always supporting and developing others?

Photos captured with my phone on my run.

08/28/2026

That is a heavy job to carry.

Here's what I've noticed: most business owners doing the work of three people aren't missing talent. They're missing visibility into who owns what.

They're leading the team. Answering customer questions. Fixing mistakes. Then reminding people to do the things they already said they would do. It wears a person down, creates frustration and erodes trust.

A checklist gives that responsibility a place to live. Who owns this task. When is it due. Who is following up. What is still open.

That sounds simple because it is simple. Simple is often what small businesses need most. Not more noise. Not another meeting that drifts off topic. A clear view of what belongs to each person and what needs attention this week.

I've seen this shift the tone in a workplace. Less chasing. More ownership. More clarity. Fewer quiet surprises at the end of the week.

And yes, people usually settle into that structure faster than you think.

Ready to lighten the load? Download "How to Stop Your Employees from Quitting" to get started.

Get it here: https://deft-founder-6250.kit.com/ea7dca85af

08/26/2026

That feeling is common, especially in a small business where one person has worn too many hats for too long.

You answer the questions. You catch the mistakes. You fix things before they become problems. On the surface, that looks like good leadership. Underneath, it often means the team hasn't been given a clean handoff.

I worked with a business owner exhausted from being the final stop for every decision. She wasn't trying to control people. She was trying to keep the wheels on. She grew the business from the ground up so she was used to being the one to wear all the hats.

We built a handoff plan that made sense for her team. Write down the task and the result you want. Name one owner. List the decisions they can make without asking. Write down where they need to check back in.

Simple. Clear. No guessing.

That's where trust starts to build. People stop waiting for rescue. You stop carrying every detail. And the work gets steadier, which is usually what everyone wanted all along.

Read my latest blog article about "The Guilt you Feel Taking a Vacation." to learn more: https://unleashingpotentialhr.com/2026/07/25/the-guilt-you-feel-about-taking-vacation-is-costing-you-more-than-you-think/

08/25/2026

You're not the only one chasing people for updates every week.

The difference between teams that run smoothly and ones that don't usually comes down to one thing: a steady rhythm for accountability. You might have a solid team, but without it, everything still funnels through you. It wears you down.

One owner told me her week felt like one long string of chasing people for follow-ups. We changed one thing. A weekly check-in.

Short. Consistent. Four simple questions: What did you finish? What's next? What's stuck? How can I help?

That small structure does two things. It gives people a clear place to own their work, and it gives you visibility without carrying every reminder yourself.

Once this becomes a habit, the team starts reporting on their own. The same reminders stop landing on you. And you get back time you didn't know you were losing.

A good workplace doesn't happen by accident. It's built with small, clear habits that help people feel seen and responsible.

If this sounds familiar, sign up for the Up! Date newsletter for more tips to create a people-centered workplace.

Sign up here: https://deft-founder-6250.kit.com/ecd7a0b2af

08/03/2026

You don't need to earn the right to rest.

But you might need permission to believe that. This one's for anyone whose laptop comes to vacation, whose phone keeps buzzing, and who wonders if five days away will break everything. Spoiler: it won't.

Read the blog here: https://unleashingpotentialhr.com/2026/07/25/the-guilt-you-feel-about-taking-vacation-is-costing-you-more-than-you-think/

07/17/2026

We’re hiring a Member Services & Office Coordinator.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, staying organized, helping with events and being part of Estevan’s business community.

Think you might be a good fit?

Learn more and view the full job posting at:

https://www.estevanchamber.ca/job-postings

Please share with someone who would be perfect for this role.

06/28/2026

Good leaders don't always have all the answers. But the ones who ask the right questions? They build teams that actually want to show up.

If you've been wondering why morale is low or good people keep leaving, this one's worth a read. The answer might be closer than you think.

Read my latest blog here: https://unleashingpotentialhr.com/2026/06/25/your-team-is-not-the-problem-you-might-be/

06/10/2026

Lots of activities this weekend.

Who's excited for this week's parade? Smile Services will meet all floats starting at 3:30pm over at the Float Lineup area this Friday.

Don't miss the parade at 4:30pm, when it returns to the downtown route ☀️

Head to the Fair directly after or any time this weekend:

Friday, June 12 • 4:00pm to Close
Saturday, June 13 • 12:00pm to Close
Sunday, June 14 • 12:00pm to Close

🎟️ Gate tickets are also available online:
https://estevanex.com/energy-city-ex/

06/04/2026

Summer feels fine until suddenly it doesn't.

Your team wants time off. They should want time off. But when you approve requests one at a time without seeing the full picture, that's when things get messy. People compare notes. They wonder if there's a process or just favoritism.

I've written about how to handle vacation requests fairly and consistently, so everyone knows what to expect:
https://unleashingpotentialhr.com/2026/05/25/the-campsite-is-booked-is-your-schedule/

05/29/2026

This question keeps coming up: "How do I make sure my best employees don't leave?"

Here's what I tell people: you can't force anyone to stay. But you absolutely can build a place where they don't want to go.

Think of it like a bank account. Every time you listen, recognize good work, or stand up for your team, you're making a deposit. Every time you dismiss concerns, take credit, or ghost someone when they need you? Withdrawal.

Good retention doesn't happen by accident. It's built through the small choices you make every single day. I put together six practical ways to create that kind of workplace: https://unleashingpotentialhr.com/2026/04/25/employee-retention-is-a-leadership-decision/