Episode #7: Growing Your People

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Episode 7: Growing Your People

In this episode, Mike and Kirk shine a spotlight on the most powerful—and often untapped—driver of machine shop growth: your team. Kicking off a three-part series on scaling your business, they explore why developing people isn’t optional, it’s foundational.

From floor operators to future leaders, they discuss how to identify growth potential, build clear progression paths, and overcome common mindset traps like fear of turnover or “doing it all yourself.” Packed with personal stories and proven frameworks, this episode will challenge the way you think about succession, culture, and leadership at every level of your shop.

Because real growth doesn’t happen when you do more—it happens when your people do.

Key Takeaways:

• Growth isn’t just about sales or profit—it’s also about people advancement.
• Every shop role should have an upward path—even if not every employee wants to climb.
• Identify capacity through aptitude, communication, and personal interest alignment.
• Create structured progression plans with regular feedback and incentives.
• Culture matters—but cash still counts. You need both.
• Owner wealth is best built through a valuable, sellable business—not annual siphoning.
• Don’t let fear of turnover prevent you from developing your people.
• Document, incentivize, and follow through on employee growth goals.