Kerry: Tom, I have to ask the question every small business owner whispers behind closed doors. Is it just me, or are people the hardest part of running a business?

Tom: It’s not just you. Hands down, the number one complaint I hear from small business owners is about employees. People create problems. Not because they’re bad, but because they’re people. Everyone has their own way of doing things. That’s beautiful in life. In business? It’s complicated. Especially when you’ve built a specific process and suddenly, you’ve got five versions of it walking around your shop floor. Add in clashing personalities or misaligned work habits, and now you’re managing dynamics you never saw coming.

So how do you reduce the people problems? I recommend focusing on two key areas:

Do they fit the role?

Do they fit your culture?

Let’s start with role fit. I look at three specific factors.

Natural Ability – What makes them tick? Are they wired in a way that aligns with what the role actually demands?

Availability – Do they have the mental, physical, and time capacity to meet the expectations of the job?

Desire – Are they there for a paycheck, or do they genuinely want to do the job well?

When you hire someone with the right blend of those three, you’re already ahead of the game. But the more important piece, especially in a small business, is culture fit.

Your business has core characteristics. Traits that define who you are at your core. If you don’t know what those are, it’s time to get clear. Maybe it’s hustle. Maybe it’s friendliness. Maybe it’s innovation. Whatever it is, jot down four or five defining traits that represent your business DNA.

Take that list into every interview. And be honest with yourself. If the person doesn’t match up with your culture, don’t hire them. I don’t care how amazing their résumé is. Mismatched culture will always create friction.

Now, let’s talk about the two people problems I see most often.

First, the employee who fits the culture, but struggles in the role. They’re beloved, they show up, they care, but they just can’t hit the mark. This is tough. Sometimes, you can shift them into a better-fitting role. But if you can’t, it’s time to have a hard conversation. Keeping someone just because they’re well-liked doesn’t serve your business or them.

Second, the employee who excels in the role, but destroys your culture. This is the more dangerous one. They meet every goal, crush their metrics, and from the outside, they’re a dream employee. But inside your business, they create tension, drama, fear, and division.

Here is the truth. There’s no room for that person in your small business. You don’t have time or resources to see if they’ll change. They are chipping away at everything you’ve worked to build. You have to let them go. And the sooner, the better.

No hiring process is perfect. You’ll never fully eliminate people problems. But by getting intentional, defining your culture, knowing what each role truly requires, and hiring accordingly, you’ll drastically reduce those issues.

You’re building a team, not just a task force. And that starts with the right people.

Kerry: That’s the kind of clarity we all need, Tom. Less stress, fewer people problems, and a whole lot more alignment. Thanks for giving us the roadmap.

Kerry Solmonsen is the Executive Director of the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce and community advocate with a passion for helping local businesses grow and thrive. With a background in leadership, sales, nonprofit development, and business development, she brings both heart and hustle to her work. Whether she’s organizing a parade, launching a community initiative, or championing small-town entrepreneurship, Kerry is all about connection, collaboration, and creating momentum that matters.

Thomas Sauvageau is a lifelong entrepreneur and seasoned business coach with a passion for helping small business owners succeed. Over the past 20+ years, he’s owned or partnered in more than 30 businesses across industries like finance, real estate, and hospitality, many of them right here in our community. While he’s no stranger to the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, Tom’s true calling is helping others grow thriving, values-driven companies. As a Certified EOS Implementer®, he now works with business owners across the region to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to their vision. www.eosworldwide.com/thomas-sauvageau