Human Resource Challenges and How Not to Feel Like a B*tch

Navigating Employee Challenges: Insights from Business Sisters

I often talk about the “magic” that happens at Business Sisters networking events. I witnessed another example at our May event in Russell. For privacy reasons, names will remain confidential.

One of our Business Sisters was discussing how upset she was over having to let go of an employee.

She described the person as likeable but simply not “with it” enough to get the job done. Could she have trained the person differently to make it work? How could she “toughen up” and not let things go for so long? How to have “the talk” without feeling like being a b*tch?

Another Business Sister reassured her; she’d been there too. After many years in business, she came up with a “three-week rule”: unless a new employee shows they are a fit by the end of week three, she lets them go.

“You are your most important asset in your business,” she reminded her colleague. “Put yourself first. Employees need to fit in and show you they care about your business. It’s better to free them to be a better fit elsewhere.”

With that explanation, I saw relief on our first Business Sister’s face; she wasn’t alone. And that’s the point, isn’t it? Networking isn’t just about knowing who owns what business. It’s about sharing experiences so we can learn from one another in business.

That exchange is exactly why Business Sisters exists. As women, we carry the weight of societal expectations. How do we create caring workplaces while holding employees accountable, and not feeling so conflicted? It’s a delicate balance—one that needs to be addressed more openly.

Oh, how I wish someone had given me that advice in the early days of my business! (You can read more about my own HR nightmares here).

What are your thoughts? Have you faced similar challenges? Let’s keep the conversation going. And thank you for reading all the way!