Big Dreams Great Teams® with Paula Maidens

Why 5 Team Members Feels Harder Than 10 (And How to Fix It)

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a stage where many businesses get stuck and the reason why doesn’t get talked about enough.It’s the five person mark.And it can feel so ...

Scaling Teams, Culture & Leadership in a Growing Service-Based Business | Winnie Wu

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A behind-the-scenes founder conversation on hiring, rebuilding culture, and stepping into leadership.Scaling a service-based business means growing mo...

Why Your Team’s Not the Problem — And What to Fix Instead

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When good people still need too much of you, the issue is rarely capability. It’s clarity.Most business owners don’t think they have a “bad team...

My Top 16 Business Lessons After 16 Years in Business

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sixteen years in, Paula’s not romanticising it. She’s naming what it actually takes to build a business that lasts — and what it costs when the ...

Psychosocial Hazard Laws Explained: What Business Owners Can (and Can’t) Do With Their Team | Tracey Mylecharane

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Clearer laws. Calmer leadership. Fewer second-guesses.Many business owners genuinely want to do right by their people.And yet, when it comes to psycho...

Let Go of Perfect: The Strategic Shift Every Founder Must Make to Scale

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is about the kind of leadership pressure that doesn’t show up on a task list — the mental load that lingers even after you’ve stepp...

How to Make Your AI Job Ad Stand Out From the Crowd

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why generic, AI-written job ads are costing growing businesses better people — and what actually makes candidates pay attentionAs teams grow, hiring...

The Podcast Is Back — With the Advice Business Owners Actually Need

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Growth has a way of changing the work. What once felt straightforward becomes layered. Decisions carry more weight. And the advice that used to land n...

Using AI for Marketing Your Business & Why Small Business Marketing Hires Fail

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens is joined by messaging strategist, copywriter, and ChatGPT trainer Tahnée Sanders, founder o...

2025 Update: 5 Hiring Tips For Small Businesses In The Current Market

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens shares practical hiring tips for small businesses, unpacking the five key shifts that ar...

Removing the Fear from Hiring

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this practical and eye-opening episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens dives into the hidden fears that hold many small business owners ba...

Everyone is NOT an Expert - Difference Between Advice and Opinion

08 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this much-needed episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens dives into a growing issue that’s costing business owners serious time, money a...

How to Build Trust and Collaboration Within Your Team: Your Secret To Small Business Growth

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens dives deep into one of the most pivotal elements of team performance: trust.If you’ve ...

Hot Flushes & High Performance: Building Your Business Through Perimenopause with Shelly Horton

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens is joined by Shelly Horton – journalist, TV presenter, women’s health advocate, ...

Team Performance Check: Are Your Employees Meeting Your Business Needs

04 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula Maidens walks through a simple but powerful assessment to evaluate your team's performance ...

Scaling Team Growing Pains: Why Your Team Can Break on the way to $1M (And How to Fix It)

27 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Growing pains aren't just for growing teenagers… your business experiences them too! In this value packed episode, Paula Maidens dives into a ...

Financial Foundations for Smart Team Growth: Essential Money Moves for Scaling with Lisa Turner

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this essential episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I’m interviewing Lisa Turner, founder of Accounted For You, a specialised Zero-only bookkeeping...

Transform Your Team Meetings: 3 Questions That Build Accountability & Drive Results

30 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, Paula shares a powerful framework to transform your team meetings from energy-draining obligations into the...

Ask, Don't Tell: The Tiny Shift That Will Free Up Your Time & (Finally!) Empower Your Team

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you exhausted from being the only person in your business who can solve problems? Tired of explaining the same things over and over to your team? ...

From Overwhelmed Owner to Strategic CEO: The Leadership Evolution Your Business Needs

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Here's the truth - working harder isn't the answer to scaling your business. After 14 years of helping business owners build high-performing...

Transform Your Culture USING Values-Based Communication in 2025

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are your business values secretly working against your team's performance? In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I'm sharing a practica...

AI in Hiring & Leadership: What Works and What Doesn't

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I’m pulling back the curtain on how AI tools are helping and hindering hiring, recruitment, leadership, a...

Break These Leadership Habits Before They Break Your Team in 2025

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As a small business owner, your leadership style directly impacts your team—and ultimately, your business success. In this episode, we dive into th...

Behind The Scenes: Triumphs, Tests & Truth Bombs of 2024

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're pulling back the curtain on what 2024 really looked like - beyond the glossy social media highlights and into the reality of running a busi...

The Franchise Success Formula: Values, Vision, and Making Hearts Sing; Lessons in Culture-First Leadership from ActivOT's Founder Helen Wait

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if the secret to scaling your business wasn't about rigid systems, but about leading with your values? In this inspiring episode, Helen Wai...

4 Thinking Preferences: Which One Drives Your Brain?

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered why some tasks energise you while others leave you drained? Or why certain people’s problem-solving approaches make perfect s...

Scaling to $7M in 4 Years: Essential Business, Team & Leadership Lessons with Allana Ford

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Allana Ford, the founder and CEO of Muse Pilates, who has built an incredible fitness empire across Austral...

Time vs. Energy Management: Is Time Management Obsolete?

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula shares her thoughts on the debate between time management and energy management.  Paula reflects on a recent discussion she he...

Managing Anxiety, Mental Health & Burnout in the Workplace with Dr. Jodi Richardson

03 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula sits down with Dr. Jodi Richardson, a leading expert on anxiety and mental health, to div...

Q4 Retention Activities To Power Up Your Team for 2025

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, Paula dives deep into the strategic activities you can prioritise in Q4 to wrap up 2024 on a hi...

Creating a 'Bad Day' Business Model Through Automation - with Peta Serras

20 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, we dive into the strategies that can help small business owners turn challenging days into oppo...

Remuneration Models - Which Pay Structures Are Right For Small Business (& What To Avoid)

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of building a strong and loyal team—re...

5 Leadership Habits You Need To Break To Scale Your Business

06 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Big Dreams Great Teams Podcast, host Paula Maidens dives into the five critical leadership habits that CEOs of small businesses...

Unlocking the Link Between Productivity and Profitability in Small Business

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula reveals five proven strategies to measure and optimise your team’s productivity. With real-world examples, she demonstrates h...

Navigating ADHD and Entrepreneurship with serial business owner - Jane McFadden

22 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jane McFadden, an entrepreneur, former psychologist, author, neurodiversity specialist, and neuroscientist, shares her personal experience and academi...

My #1 Philosophy for Life & Business

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, Paula shares her #1 philosophy in business and life and that is… the power of choice.  In this personal share, she opens up a...

Transforming Performance through Team Events with Mykel Dixon

08 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of Team Events and how to build High Performing Teams with the incredible Mykel Dixon - a jazz mus...

The Pros, Cons & Differences You Must Know When Hiring Subcontractors

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula dives into the different types of subcontractors that are available, and in particular she compares hiring a Subcontracting Tea...

How to Attract & Retain LOYAL Team Members

25 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode addresses a commonly asked question which is How to Retain Employees.  Paula discusses the elements to both Attract and Retain Loyal Emp...

The Ultimate Guide to Reference Checks: Hire RIGHT for Your Small Business

18 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens addresses the importance of reference checks in the hiring process for small business owners. She shares unique insight...

Client Lesson #9: Delegate, Don't Do

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our Client Lessons Series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a key le...

Subcontractor vs. Employee - Which One Is Right for You?

11 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens discusses the difference between hiring a subcontractor and an employee. She addresses common assumptions and myths abo...

Client Lesson #8: Is it REALLY that urgent?

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

Reducing the STRESS from Having Employees

04 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens discusses the stress that comes with having employees and provides practical tips and strategies to reduce that stress....

Client Lesson #7: Do THIS to NOT be frustrated when hiring someone to do the same job as you

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to share a ke...

Stop having BORING Team Meetings! Here's how.

28 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens explores the necessity of team meetings and how to make them effective. She discusses the signs of unnecessary meetings...

Client Lesson #6: Preparing for Holidays (so you can actually relax!)

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

Dealing with Stress, Overwork & Burnout with Dr Hayley Kelly

21 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest with Paula Maidens is Dr. Hayley Kelly, a clinical psychologist and business coach, shares her journey of overcoming stress and burnou...

Client Lesson #5: Delegating leadership within your team

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

The Impact of Team Effectiveness on Your Clients & Your Brand

14 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens explores the impact of effective team management on brand experience through real-life observations of two very differe...

Client Lesson #4: There is ALWAYS light at the end of the tunnel

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

EOFY Reflections: Revenue is down but my WAGE IS UP

07 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula reflects on the past 12 months in her business and shares her end-of-financial year review. She discusses the decline in revenu...

Client Lesson #3: Why You Must TEST In Your Hiring Process (& how to feel good about it!)

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

BTS of My Recent Filipino VA Hire & 4 Top Tips for You To Do It Too!

30 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula shares her experience of hiring a Filipino virtual assistant, providing an in-depth look at the hiring process and valuable ins...

Client Lesson #2: Common Hiring Mistakes You Can Avoid

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

Struggling to FIND quality applicants & stand out to potential employees? Here’s what to do

23 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens dives into a common challenge many business owners face: struggling to find the right candidates for their job openings...

Client Lessons #1: Delegating EMAIL in a way that's easy (for you!)

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our brand new Client Lessons series.These are short sharp episodes where Paula Maidens draws on her client coaching calls each week to shar...

Why Hiring is Different In 2024 (& Why You Need to Know HOW To Get It Right For Small Business Success!)

16 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Paula Maidens delves into the essential strategies for achieving hiring success as a small business owner in 2024. With over 17 year...

The impact STRESS has on you & your business with Aubrey Nation

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams‪®‬, I am joined by Aubrey Nation, a Registered Nurse, Yoga and Meditation Teacher and Wellness Expert w...

Unlocking the Secrets to A High Performance Culture

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss the relationship between a high performing team and culture. There are many different ways of looking at this and I explore...

Why These 5 Words are Music To My Ears

21 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss the importance of fostering an environment in your business where team members feel empowered to take initiative and make d...

4 Signs Your Team is EFFECTIVE

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I discuss the four characteristics of an effective team and how to identify whether your team is operating efficiently (or not!). I share the r...

How to Overcome These 2 Common Business Challenges

07 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss two common business challenges that have been a theme for many of my clients in the first quarter of 2024. I talk about how...

How Much Should You Pay Your Staff?

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talk about how to determine appropriate pay structures for your team members, and how it can impact your team dynamics and business...

Decision Making Authority & Why You Need To Give It Away

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss what decision-making authority is in your business and why it is important. I share how to hand over more of your decision-...

Powerful Content: How to ramp up your visibility without doing it all yourself with Mel Daniels

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams‪®‬, I am joined by Mel Daniels, a Content Marketing Strategist, speaker, podcast host and author. Mel s...

Boundaries: How to set ones that work (& keep them!)

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams‪®, I delve into the importance of setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in your business, and with y...

Performance Enhancing Conversations with your Team

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss the importance of having performance enhancing conversations with your team. These conversations are necessary to have regu...

Secrets to Successfully Hiring & Managing a Community Manager with Shana Lynn

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams‪®‬, Paula is joined by Shana Lynn, a trusted advisor for top-tier subscription companies looking to amp...

Mastering Delegation: 7 steps to avoid burnout

18 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the host, Paula Maidens discusses the importance of mastering delegation to overcome the cycle of overwork. She shares seven steps to...

Hiring a Filipino VA with Offshoring Expert Tiffany English

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this conversation, Paula talks to offshoring expert Tiffany English about all things offshoring and in particular, how to make a success of hiring ...

When is it time to FIRE someone?

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Paula dives into the common question of “When it is the right time to let someone go” along with all those other common questions ...

How to BE yourself at work with Cassandra Goodman

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to BE yourself at work with Cassandra GoodmanWelcome to another podcast episode with Paula Maidens. In this episode, Paula interviews Cassandra Go...

5 Interview Questions you Must ASK In 2024

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

5 Interview Questions you Must ASK In 2024Welcome to another podcast episode with Paula Maidens. The host, Paula Maidens discusses the importance of s...

Profit Profit Profit : How to get more of it in 2024 with Laura O'Hagan

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Profit Profit Profit : How to get more of it in 2024Welcome to 2024 with our first Big Dreams Great Team® podcast episode for the new year! In this ...

Hire Smarter Bonus Mini Series Pt 3 - Profitable Onboarding

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3- Hire Smarter Summer Series - Profitable Onboarding Welcome to the final episode of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series with Paula Maidens. The host,...

Hire Smarter Summer Series Pt 2 - How to Decide YOUR Top 5 Qualities To ALWAYS Hire Rockstars

10 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 108 - How to Decide Your Top 5 Qualities To Only Hire RockstarsIn Part 2 of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series, the host Paula Maidens, focuses on a...

Hire Smarter Summer Series Pt 1 - The Reason Why Most People Hire Wrong (and how to fix that for good!)

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 107 - The Reasons Most People Hire Wrong (and How to Avoid That For Good)In this first episode of the Hire Smarter Mini-Series, hosted by Paul...

My Top 3 Client Lessons from 2023

26 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode #106 - My 3 TOP CLIENT LESSONS FROM 2023As Paula shifts into reflection mode for 2023, she shares in this episode three common lessons that em...

5 Questions to Ask Each Of Your Team Before The End Of The Year

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode #105 - 5 Questions to Ask Each Of Your Team Before The End Of The YearWith the holiday season looming, you're probably juggling year-end ...

4 Day Work Week, Growth Lessons from Team of 3 to 12 and $2Mil + Revenue with Bonny Marsh, COO of Truii

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Big Dreams Great Teams™, I am joined by Bonny Marsh, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, the co-founder of Truii, a Brisbane-bas...

7 TRUTHS I typically only share with my Private Clients

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Big Dreams Great Teams™, Paula shares the 7 REAL Truths that consistently emerge when she’s coaching her private clients to...

What are you EXPECTING vs INSPECTING?

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, we dive into the vital distinction between Expectations and Inspections. High expectations are common, b...

Creating a Neuro-inclusive workplace with Dr Lutza Ireland

22 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I interview Dr Lutza Ireland (Autistic/ADHD/she/her) a psychologist, multi award winning designer, resea...

The essential elements to a LEAN TEAM. How many can you tick? Part 2

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I finish off my two-part series on the essential elements of building a lean team in your business. I share the last two critica...

The essential elements to a LEAN TEAM. How many can you tick? Part 1

08 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I kick off a two-part series on the essential elements of building a lean team in your business. Having a lean team is not only ...

Avoid Hiring Headaches: Legal Advice for Growing Businesses with Tracey Mylecharane

01 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I am joined by Tracey Mylecharane, an unconventional business lawyer who delivers confidence to small bu...

Using AI to make Hiring & Performance EASIER

24 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I delve into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and how you can use it in relation to your team. I talk about the ways in...

Mastering Retention: Nurturing Your Team for 3+ Years with Jazze Jervis

17 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I am joined by a great friend and previous client of mine, Jazze Jervis. Jazze is an entrepreneur, investor, and seven-figure busines...

Difficult Conversations - My top 10 Tips to make them EASIER

10 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I talk about how to have difficult conversations with someone on your team and share my top 10 tips on how you can make them fee...

Why only 7% of businesses grow past $2mil with Jenny Stilwell

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I am joined by the inspiring Jenny Stilwell, author of The 7% Club. Jenny sheds light on the challe...

Building Business Sustainability: Creating a Team That Doesn't Rely On One Individual

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I delve into an important aspect and topic of business; how to build business sustainability into your team. I dive deep into this co...

The secret to finding YOUR unicorn Virtual Assistant with Amy Dawe

20 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I am joined by Amy Dawe, founder of Seed Virtual Assistants. Amy is a mentor to many Virtual Assistant...

Making flexible working... actually work (for you!)

13 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I delve into the balance between flexibility and structure when it comes to your team. These days, it is re...

Are you the bottleneck in your business? (And what to do about it!)

06 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is about staying in control of your business while not staying involved. Have you ever considered if you are a bottleneck in your bu...

GREAT leaders with KICK ASS teams have these 5 traits. Which ones can you tick?

30 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Big Dreams Great Teams™, I share my top five leadership traits with you. These leadership traits are ones that I see demonstrated...

Are you planning for SPACE?

23 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A few weeks ago, I had a really busy week which made me reflect and think about whether I had set myself and my business up for success, by allowing a...

EOFY reflections - a personal BTS share from my biz

16 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I am so excited to share today’s episode of the Big Dreams Great Teams podcast as I take you behind the scenes and share some of my end-of-financial...

How hiring an Ops Manager created instant 20% revenue growth - a BTS of a Bookkeeping business with Sally Brindle

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I go behind the scenes with one of my wonderful clients, Sally Brindle, who owns Total Accounts, a business that provides full-service bookkeepi...

Having it all - Business, Health & Family with Jaiana Francis

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of Big Dreams Great Teams, I am joined by CPA turned holistic health coach, Jaiana Francis. Jaiana is the Founder & CEO of Bo...