Outgrowing Your Original Team – Loyalty vs. Progress

By VICKY BROWN

The Hard Truth About Business Growth

Remember when your company was just getting started? A handful of dedicated people wore all the hats, figured things out on the fly, and somehow made it all work. Those early team members were exactly what you needed then. But now your business has grown, and things are different.

When Your First Employees Fall Behind

It’s a tough spot to be in. That person who helped build your business from scratch is now struggling to keep up. Maybe they’re not handling the bigger team well, or they’re having trouble with new systems. You feel stuck between loyalty to them and the needs of your growing business.

It’s Not About Blame

Let’s be clear about something: This isn’t about anyone doing anything wrong. Your business has changed, and that means the jobs have changed too. Think about it:

What used to be a “do everything” role now needs specific expertise
Simple spreadsheets have been replaced by complex systems
Small team management has become large team leadership
Quick decisions now need careful planning

Making Changes While Being Fair

There are better ways to handle this situation than just showing people the door. Here’s what you can try:

Team Up New and Old

Put your experienced employees together with newer team members who have different skills. Everyone can learn from each other, and it helps bridge the gap between old and new ways of working.

Find New Roles That Work

Look for ways to use your early employees’ knowledge of your company in different roles. Sometimes the right job switch makes all the difference.

Keep Talking

Be open about how the company is changing and what that means for everyone. No one likes surprises, especially when it comes to their job.

“… you’re sitting in your office, staring at performance metrics that just aren’t adding up, feeling like the world’s biggest ingrate for even thinking about making a change.“

Taking Care of People While Taking Care of Business

How you handle these changes tells your whole team a lot about what kind of company you’re running. Here’s what matters:

Thank people for what they’ve done for your company
Be honest about what needs to change
Help people adjust to new roles
Keep the door open for future connections

Making the Transition Work

Success here means finding ways to move forward without burning bridges. Try these approaches:

Make clear plans for any job changes
Give people chances to learn new skills
Help people find their next step
Stay in touch after changes happen

Whether you’re an entrepreneur jumping into a leadership role, a seasoned business pro with new HR responsibilities, or just starting your HR career – we’ve got the right path to guide you through your HR hurdles.

Check out the Leaders Journey Experience. This online education platform holds the LJE Masterclass, HR SimpleStart Academy and HR FuturePro Academy.

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What to Do Next

If you’re dealing with this in your company, here’s where to start:

Take a good look at what’s really going on
Write down what each role needs now
Plan how you’ll talk to people about changes
Think about ways to help people adjust

Need Help Figuring This Out?

Let’s face it – these situations are tough. That’s why we’re here. At Idomeneo, we help business owners like you handle these sensitive changes every day.

Want to know more? Our HR SimpleStart Premiere program gives you practical tools and monthly guidance from experts who understand what you’re going through. Or if you need more direct help, our IDO On Call service provides one-on-one HR support.