E230 | Practical Strategies for Building a High Performing Self-Led Team
Release Date: 05/27/2025
E255 | Guiding Principles for Success and Scale in 2026
Simplify to Scale Show
How would your business transform if every team member made aligned decisions without needing constant oversight? What if your offers, operations, and goals worked together seamlessly? Are you ready to discover guiding principles that drive consistent growth and fulfillment every year? In this episode, I highlight the foundation of success and scaling through thoughtfully crafted guiding principles for 2026. You’ll hear how extraordinary excellence, exceptional quality, elite client experience, embodying your next-level business, and a “right fit or no fit” approach shape every decision...
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E254 | Letting Go to Fuel Business Growth and Transformation
Simplify to Scale Show
Have you been holding on to practices, offers, or even identities that no longer serve you? What if letting go could be the key to growing your business? Are you ready to embrace transformation on your entrepreneurial journey? In this episode, I share heartfelt stories and reflections about the power of endings and the beauty of stepping into a new era, both in business and personal life. I explore how true transformation requires not just strategic tools and planning, but also an honest look at what needs to end to make space for new beginnings. Through personal experiences of letting go,...
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E253| Transform Operational Roles from a Cost Center to a Profit Driver
Simplify to Scale Show
How can you transform your operations team from a cost center to a powerful profit driver? Have you ever wondered how your team structure impacts your growth and sustainability? In this episode, I share my insights on shifting the mindset and approach to operational roles within small businesses. I explain why every team member should be directly or strategically connected to growth, retention, or increased profitability, and introduce the Lean Dream Team Pyramid as a game-changer for building a sustainable business. I emphasize the importance of hiring at the strategic execution level...
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E252 | Building a Million Dollar Business with Julie Chenell
Simplify to Scale Show
Are you striving to hit your first million in business but worried about burnout? Curious how to stand out and scale sustainably, even in today’s crowded digital space? Wondering what high-leverage actions will actually move the needle? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale show, I sit down with Julie Chenell to unpack real-life strategies for building a million-dollar brand without losing your momentum or sanity. Julie is a digital marketing expert and coach, helping companies use growth hacking strategies and marketing tools to navigate the fast-paced & ever-changing landscape of...
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E251 | What To Do When Your Goals Feel Out of Reach Before They Even Begin
Simplify to Scale Show
What does it really take to set a vision for the new year? How do you make confident decisions for your business in Q4? Are you ready to align your goals with what truly matters to you? In this episode, I share insights on visionary planning and strategic action, inspired by major shifts in my own life and business. From reflecting deeply on your goals to navigating transitions, I reveal why it’s important to create a supportive environment and team as you enter the new year. You’ll hear how distinguishing between possibility-focused conversations and practicality can protect your vision...
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E250 | What Forward-Thinking Businesses Are Doing to Stand Out in 2026
Simplify to Scale Show
Are you wondering how to truly differentiate your business and amplify your results as you scale? Curious about how to blend strategic leadership with AI innovation and authentic positioning? In this episode, I share the three most important focus areas for scaling your business in the upcoming year: strategic leadership, AI enablement, and signature positioning. I walk you through how each area impacts your growth and the growth of your clients, uncovering why so many businesses sound the same and how to make your services unmistakably unique. I also share how to integrate AI thoughtfully...
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E249 | How Framing Improves Team Performance and Reduces Frustration
Simplify to Scale Show
Ever feel like your team isn't on the same page even though you're all working toward the same outcome? Are you wondering what you could implement to ensure your team feels both heard and empowered, especially during high-pressure projects or brainstorming sessions? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale show, I am joined by Jessica Maine, to chat about different thinking styles and how they shape team dynamics, especially as the year wraps up and planning ramps up. We share experiences from our own businesses, explore the differences between abstract and linear thought processes, and...
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E248 | Self-Publishing a Book for Business Growth with Natalie Walstein
Simplify to Scale Show
How can business owners recognize the subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs that it's time for a major business pivot, and what steps can they take to embrace the transition with confidence? How do self-publishing and traditional publishing differently an author's ability to share their authentic voice and vision? In this inspiring episode, I welcome Natalie Walstein, founder of Divine Flow Publishing Co., to explore how authors and entrepreneurs can leverage self-publishing to expand their business, impact, and message. She is also a published author of 3 books and counting and the host of the...
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E247 | Service-Based Offer Suites That Actually Work in Today’s Market
Simplify to Scale Show
In what ways can you refine your positioning to clearly differentiate yourself from competitors and naturally “pull” clients toward your business? What’s one premium “add-on” or VIP experience you could offer to elevate your client engagements and boost your profits? In this episode of Simplify to Scale Show, I walk you through the evolving landscape for service-based businesses and share the best ways to structure, package, and position your offers for the coming year. We talk through the four main types of offers every thriving business should consider: your signature offer,...
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E246 | The Key Thing That Prevents Freedom and Autonomy for Founders
Simplify to Scale Show
What do you think are the biggest obstacles founders face when letting go of control, and how have you seen this play out in your own business or workplace? How would you mentor someone on your team to develop better discernment, and why do you think it’s so hard to teach? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale Show, I dive into the ideas of freedom and autonomy for founders who want to step back from the constant demands of their business. I break down why simply building a good team or getting sharper at delegation isn’t enough if everything still ends up coming back to you. Instead,...
info_outlineAre you curious about how a true high performing team can help you break free from daily operations and focus on bigger business goals? What would change for your business if every team member took inspired ownership and worked together toward a shared vision?
In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I take you behind the scenes of my CSOO certification program and share insights on building a high-performing, self-led team. I talk about the difference between having a group of talented individuals and creating a team that truly works together toward a shared vision and goals. You’ll learn why hiring the right people is just one piece of a much bigger picture, and how team structure and collective ownership are essential to getting founders out of the day-to-day.
During the episode, I walk through strategies and real examples from my training sessions, breaking down the ecosystem approach that allows teams to fully align, communicate, and take inspired ownership of outcomes. I highlight how a true high performing team doesn’t just operate individually but works as a unit, with each member committed to the overall success of the business. I also share tips on empowering your team to self-organize and collaborate without constantly needing direction.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join me next week for more strategies to help your business thrive.
In this episode, I discuss:
• Building a High Performing and Self-Led Team
• The Myth and Reality of Self-Led Teams
• The True Path to Founder Freedom
• CSOO Certification Program
Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business?
A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol
Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably?
SIMPLIFY TO SCALE will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale
Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency?
Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective
Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation.
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