One thing I really find hard in my job is that conversation with a client where they realise they’ve made a mistake.
Not because I want to say I told you so, in fact, that’s the last thing I’d ever do. I hate that I can see the regret, the pressure, and the emotional strain that moment creates. We then are trying to navigate fixing the problem without the owner feeling embarrassed. 

I also find it hard when I see clients gambling with their business.

What do I mean by this?

The chase for the pot of gold can sometimes lead to rushed decisions, guesswork, and a belief that “we’ll just deal with the consequences later.” A client once told me they were happy to “do the business equivalent of running on hot coals while ducking balls of fire and carrying sharp knives.”
And they were excited about the thrill of it.

And I know they are not alone.
Many business owners approach their business like this, especially those with a high “red” in C-Me profiling. Quick decisions. Bold moves. Firefighting energy. It can be thrilling.

And as a business owner myself, I understand it. We are often willing to tolerate a level of chaos, urgency, and stress if we believe the payoff will be worth it.

However… I am also on the outside looking in.

I speak to and work alongside over 200 automotive business owners, and I see what happens when this adrenaline-led approach takes over. Some thrive. But many burn out, lose staff, and struggle to maintain momentum.

So if you feel like you might be running up ladders only to slide back down again, let me ask you:

If You Want to Push Yourself as a Business Owner, Ask Yourself:

1. Does It Suit You?

Is that “go-go-go” pace actually working for you?
Or do you look stressed, tired, stretched, and a little worn down?

2. What Impact Does It Have on Your Employees?

Your team didn’t sign up to play hot-coal-hopscotch every day.
They likely came for stability, growth, and a healthy work environment.

3. Will the Grass Look Greener Elsewhere?

When your employees drive home after work, how do they feel?
Do they feel proud, valued, and supported?
Or exhausted, frustrated, or overlooked? Because if it’s the latter , they may look elsewhere.

So What If You Used That Same Willpower… Differently?

Every business has its Snakes and Ladders.

Snakes — the things that undo progress:

  • Bad advice (even when it sounds persuasive)
  • Rushed hiring or poor recruitment decisions
  • Overcomplicated or unbalanced bonus schemes
  • Lack of clarity in roles and expectations

Ladders — the things that keep you moving upward:

  • Clear, realistic plans
  • Processes people understand and follow
  • A positive, supportive work environment
  • Training and development
  • Open, consistent communication

You don’t need to remove every challenge — but you can choose which direction you climb.

Final Thought

Running a business is hard.
And it can be a very lonely place when you realise you’ve made a mistake.

But the good news is — IT IS YOUR BUSINESS.
You get to choose how you play it.
You get to choose your pace, your priorities, your culture, and the kind of workplace people walk into every day.

So the next time you feel like you’re playing a game — decide what game it’s going to be.
One full of snakes…
or one built with ladders.

If you would like to see how HR Vitals can be a ladder in your business, contact us today.