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EP208 – Are You Self-Sabotaging? with Teresa Heath-Wareing & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Release Date: 11/22/2024

EP226 – What To Do When Your Clients Say They Can’t Afford You Anymore with Clare Elliott & Ian Luckett show art EP226 – What To Do When Your Clients Say They Can’t Afford You Anymore with Clare Elliott & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

But is that really the end of the road, or is there something you can do to keep that client, maintain profitability, and avoid unnecessary churn? In this episode of the IT Experts Podcast, I sat down with our resident finance coach, Clare Elliott, to explore what MSPs can do when faced with clients who are reconsidering their contracts.  Clare works with MSPs every day inside the Growth Hub, helping business owners understand their numbers, optimise their pricing, and make better financial decisions. One of the key takeaways from our conversation is that if a client calls you to say...

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EP225 – Inside the MSP Growth Hub – January 2025 Intensive Round Up with Stuart Warwick, Clare Elliott, Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett  show art EP225 – Inside the MSP Growth Hub – January 2025 Intensive Round Up with Stuart Warwick, Clare Elliott, Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

I’m joined by fellow MSP Growth Hub coaches Stuart Warwick, Julie Hutchison, and Clare Elliott, as we reflect on the key takeaways from our January 2025 two-day intensive.  These intensives are the cornerstone of the MSP Growth Hub’s Scale with Confidence model, bringing together MSP owners and leaders to reflect, reset, and refocus on their business growth. The January event was centred around the theme of ‘Harnessing Ambition’—not just setting strategic goals but ensuring they are cascaded throughout the entire organisation. This is where business owners can make real...

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EP224 – What’s the Perfect Structure for an MSP? with Alison Whitfield & Ian Luckett show art EP224 – What’s the Perfect Structure for an MSP? with Alison Whitfield & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Many MSPs start with a handful of technical people, then bolt on account management, sales, marketing, and operations as they grow. But without a clearly defined structure, this approach can create inefficiencies, miscommunication, and stalled growth.   That’s why we brought in Alison Whitfield from Cultivate People Services, a people and culture expert with a wealth of experience working with MSPs. Together, we unpack the essential components of structuring an MSP for growth, leadership development, and team alignment. Alison shares her perspective on why structure is so much more...

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EP223 – Ask Stuart #18 - The Consequence of Not Stopping! And Taking Stock with Ian Luckett & Stuart Warwick show art EP223 – Ask Stuart #18 - The Consequence of Not Stopping! And Taking Stock with Ian Luckett & Stuart Warwick

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

As business owners, we often pride ourselves on pushing forward, solving problems, and keeping things moving. But what happens when we don’t stop to reflect? What are the hidden risks of ploughing ahead without taking a moment to reassess our strategy, our goals, and even our own leadership? Stuart and I unpack exactly that in today’s conversation, and trust me, if you’re an MSP looking to scale, this is something you don’t want to ignore.  We all know the feeling of getting caught up in the day-to-day operations—whether it's handling client issues, managing your team, or...

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EP222 – STOP Attracting the Wrong People to Your MSP with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett show art EP222 – STOP Attracting the Wrong People to Your MSP with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Now, if you've ever been in the frustrating position of recruiting someone you thought was perfect for the job, only to find out they’re not the right fit at all, you’re not alone. This happens more often than you might think, and in today’s episode, we uncover exactly why MSPs keep attracting the wrong people—and more importantly, how to stop it from happening.  Julie shares a story from a recent conversation with an MSP owner who was struggling to find the right person for their team. They needed someone dynamic, open to change, and capable of taking the business forward. But...

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EP221 – Becoming B Corp… And the Difference It Made To My Business - Success Stories with Gildas Jones & Ian Luckett show art EP221 – Becoming B Corp… And the Difference It Made To My Business - Success Stories with Gildas Jones & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

For those who aren’t familiar, B Corp is essentially a certification that demonstrates a company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. It’s often described as the gold standard for ethical business practices, ensuring that organisations consider the impact of their decisions on employees, customers, suppliers, the community, and the planet. It’s about running a business with integrity and proving that you’re doing the right thing—not just saying you are.  Gildas explained that he’s always been passionate about running a business with strong values,...

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EP220 – Improving Service Delivery in your MSP with Michelle Coombs & Ian Luckett show art EP220 – Improving Service Delivery in your MSP with Michelle Coombs & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is that when clients say an MSP is “too expensive,” what they actually mean is that they don’t see the value in the service. This is a massive problem in the industry. MSPs often assume that if tickets are low and complaints are minimal, everything is running smoothly. But in reality, service delivery is about so much more than just fixing issues. It’s about building relationships, setting clear expectations, and continuously improving processes to meet client needs.  Michelle Coombs quickly pointed out that the traditional...

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EP219 – Want to Grow Your Business?... Then Leverage Your Team with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett  show art EP219 – Want to Grow Your Business?... Then Leverage Your Team with Julie Hutchison & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

One of the biggest challenges we see in the MSP space is that many business owners started their journey as technical experts. They didn’t necessarily set out to run a business – they just knew they were great at what they did and wanted to do it better than the company they worked for. The problem? Running a business requires a completely different skill set to just doing the technical work. At some point, every MSP owner reaches that moment where they realise they can’t do it all themselves. But that realisation often comes with frustration—because even when they bring in a team,...

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EP218 – How to Prospect on LinkedIn with Sam Rathling and Ian Luckett  show art EP218 – How to Prospect on LinkedIn with Sam Rathling and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

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EP217 - Grow your MSP with Apple…Or Get Left Behind with Ben Greiner & Ian Luckett show art EP217 - Grow your MSP with Apple…Or Get Left Behind with Ben Greiner & Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

We began by addressing a common stigma: why so many MSPs avoid Apple devices despite their undeniable popularity and premium quality. Ben highlighted that while many MSPs are deeply rooted in the Microsoft ecosystem—largely due to its strong channel support and financial incentives—Apple has been quietly making significant inroads into the business world. In fact, as Ben pointed out, companies like IBM and Cisco have embraced Apple devices, with up to 60% of their employees choosing Apple when given the option. This trend is a clear indication that Apple is no longer just for creatives...

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 Teresa Heath-Wareing introduces us to a crucial understanding of how self-sabotage works, explaining that many of us fall into patterns that keep us comfortable but ultimately hinder our growth. Self-sabotaging behaviours often stem from a place of fear—whether it's fear of failure, fear of judgment, or even fear of success. When we’re stepping into new or uncomfortable situations, our brain can see these as potential threats, activating a “protection mode” that drives us back to our comfort zones. Teresa highlights that self-sabotage isn’t about laziness or lack of ambition; rather, it’s our mind trying to keep us safe. Yet, as she reminds us, that “safe” place can end up stalling our growth and keeping us from the breakthroughs we’re capable of achieving. 

One of Teresa’s key insights is the importance of consistency and authenticity in breaking self-sabotaging habits. She speaks to the value of building a visible, authentic presence online—not just for marketing but as a powerful way to establish trust and connection with clients and prospects. Teresa believes that when MSP owners are authentic and consistent in their online presence, they build a network of trust that lays the groundwork for stronger, long-lasting business relationships. This trust allows clients and prospects to get to know you before they’ve even spoken with you, something that is increasingly important as research shows that most of the buying decision is made before a client even contacts you. 

During our conversation, we touched on how self-sabotaging can be particularly sneaky for MSPs, who often prioritise solving technical issues over working on the strategic growth of their business. Teresa explains that this can lead to avoidance of challenging, but necessary, steps like sales and marketing, often because these tasks push us outside our comfort zone. She shares a critical tip: look for patterns. Self-sabotage can manifest as procrastination, indecision, or distractions, and recognising these patterns is the first step to breaking free from them. Teresa recommends slowing down and questioning why we might be resisting certain tasks or decisions. Are we avoiding an uncomfortable feeling or fear of failure? By reflecting on this, we can start identifying the root of our self-sabotage. 

Teresa also emphasises the need for incremental changes—what she calls “1% shifts”—to overcome self-sabotaging tendencies. Rather than attempting drastic transformations, Teresa suggests that small, manageable changes can build confidence and create sustainable progress over time. This incremental approach helps build integrity with ourselves, proving that you can follow through on your commitments. These “1% shifts” allow you to step outside your comfort zone slowly, creating new neural pathways that make it easier to tackle bigger challenges in the future. For example, if an MSP owner is hesitant to start marketing themselves online, they could start by making one small post per week. Over time, these small efforts add up, gradually building confidence and consistency. 

One of the standout lessons from Teresa is the importance of understanding the ego’s role in self-sabotage. Ego can prevent us from asking for help, acknowledging when we’re stuck, or admitting that we don’t have all the answers. Teresa shares that many business owners may avoid seeking help or taking advice because their ego convinces them that they have everything under control, even when they could benefit from guidance. She encourages MSP owners to step away from this mindset, embrace vulnerability, and take advantage of the collaborative and supportive nature of the MSP community, which thrives on shared knowledge and experiences. 

The practical framework that Teresa Heath-Wareing shares in this episode provides MSP owners with tools to identify and address self-sabotaging behaviours. From recognising patterns to making 1% shifts, Teresa’s approach is about building self-awareness, resilience, and consistency. She encourages listeners to approach self-sabotage with empathy, reminding us that our brains are simply trying to protect us. With greater awareness, MSP owners can harness their potential by setting aside self-limiting beliefs and making intentional choices that lead to growth. 

Whether you’re trying to improve your marketing consistency, make strategic decisions, or take your business to the next level, Teresa’s insights on self-sabotaging behaviours offer a clear, actionable path. This episode is packed with Teresa Heath-Wareing’s expert advice on the psychology behind self-sabotage, and it will resonate with anyone looking to break through their mental barriers to achieve greater success.  

To access Teresa’s FREE training and workbook, simply click HERE. 

You can reach out to Teresa Heath-Wareing through her LinkedIn profile HERE 
Check out the Teresa’s podcast HERE, or her website HERE. 

For full details of our Business Blueprint Workshop on Tuesday 3rd December, click HERE. 

Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK 

And when you’re ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you’ll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads. 

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To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE 

Until next time, look after yourself and I’ll catch up with you soon!