Stacking Your Team | Leadership Advisor for Women Entrepreneurs

What would you do if your business slowly drifts out of your hands? Katie MacKenzie sares the hard decisions she made in just seven months, from restructuring her team and introducing real operating systems to stepping back into visible leadership. The result? A stronger, more productive business, a major revenue milestone, and more presence at home. If you've ever wondered whether your business is running you, this conversation will hit close to home. Connect with Kate MacKenzie: Instagram Facebook Website Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you an ambitious professional working inside an organization, navigating career growth, leadership politics, and the pressure to stand out?  In this announcement, you'll hear about an upcoming project that is designed for ambitious professionals who want honest conversations about influence, leadership reputation, and the tough realities of moving up without the recycled fluff. If you're ready for real strategies and actionable feedback to help you rise, click here to join the waitlist.

Thinking about renovating your workplace or maybe you just want some practical ideas to update your space as your team grows? In this week's episode of the Stacking Your Team Podcast, I'm indulging my inner workspace design junkie by sitting down with industry expert Sylvie Allain, founder of Bureau Living. Together, we dive deep into the real strategies that take office design from bland and functional to a true powerhouse for your brand, your team's performance, and your retention efforts. Connect with Sylvie Allain: LinkedIn Instagram  Website Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

A peek inside of the minds and hearts of the incredible women in the Leadership Lab, including the pivotal moments, challenges, and breakthroughs they experienced wrapping up this past year. From letting go of micromanagement to holding teams truly accountable, we're talking about the hardest (and most freeing) parts of leadership. You'll also hear real stories about making tough staffing decisions, finally setting boundaries, and building business systems that don't require you to hold everyone's hand. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you leading a brick-and-mortar business and feeling frustrated with advice that just does not match your daily reality? This week, I am pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to lead a team in a physical workplace. Real leadership means guiding your team confidently, making decisions on the spot, and creating a workplace that thrives even when you are not there every minute.  Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter    

Get the inside scoop on the most important meeting you'll host this year: the New Year kickoff. We explore why this single meeting sets the tone for the entire year, how it motivates and inspires your team, and specifically, how you can use it to drive commitment, build trust, and spark genuine growth in your business. Whether you love or loathe meetings, I'll show you how to craft one that's meaningful, productive, and completely aligned with your vision as a CEO. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Download the companion workbook for our 7 most-popular podcast epiosdes. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter      

I pulled back the curtain to share the real wins, wobbles, and surprises that shaped my 2025 journey. From celebrating a year cancer-free and navigating loss, to building powerful tools for leaders and launching bold new projects, it's about leading through life's tough seasons and rising stronger. Join the waitlist here for our Private Podcast for ambitious professionals at 1000 Islands Leadership Consulting. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Shop: Grab your Leadership Brief Tear Sheets Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

For this special holiday episode, I wanted to invite you to make the most of those cozy moments and little pockets of downtime this season, whether you're baking cookies, taking a walk, or simply sneaking away from the noise. I've personally curated a list of six of our most downloaded, most talked-about episodes from this past year. The ones that sparked the biggest shifts and aha moments for women leaders like you. These episodes are packed with insights, tough love, and simple strategies to help you lead smarter, not harder, as you step into the new year. Download the podcast companion workbook here. Episode List: EP 353: 3 Signs You're Overpaying Your Contractors EP 350: Creative Ways to Motivate Your Team EP 320: The Difference Between Managing and Leading EP 324: How to Onboard a New Team Member EP 301: Real Stories of Abrupt Change Leading to Success EP 322: How to Host Team Meetings Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Are you truly ready to lead at a higher level? If you've built a business, hired people, and now find yourself wondering if you've got what it takes to build a leadership team that runs the business while you move it forward, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through four key questions designed to help you determine if you're ready for that next phase of professional development. You'll hear real-life stories from my clients, discover why stepping out of the daily grind can totally transform your business and life, and learn how you can stop micromanaging and start leading with confidence.     Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Ever feel like your business only runs smoothly when you're around? In today's episode, I share the real secret to consistent service, lower turnover, and a reputation that gets people buzzing: frontline leadership. It's not about doing it all yourself.  It's about empowering shift leaders and supervisors who keep things running, uphold your standards, and create a culture that people want to be part of. Want to stop being the bottleneck and start building a team that thrives, even when you're not there? Tune in to learn how to stack your team with the leaders your business truly needs!   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

Whether you're running a business or leading a team, the smartest thing you can do is say "yes" to the small things that create a big impact. Providing healthy snacks, setting a clear dress code, and celebrating your team's wins show your people you care and boost both morale and loyalty. These yeses aren't just feel-good gestures, they're proven ways to elevate company culture and build a high-performing team. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Whether you realize it or not, your team is thinking about what AI means for their jobs and for your business. Based on my own experience leading multimillion-dollar automation projects at Procter & Gamble, I know firsthand how technology can transform the way people work. In this episode, I'll break down what's really happening with AI and jobs, explain why AI is so much more than ChatGPT, and show you where humans remain absolutely irreplaceable. I'll share honest, practical ways you can bring up AI during your next 1:1 conversations, giving your team clarity and reassurance instead of fear. You'll learn how to guide your people through these changes, set smart boundaries, and keep your business human-centered, even while embracing the advantages that AI brings. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter      

Are you tired of watching simple workplace tasks become time-consuming headaches for your growing team? Join me in this episode where I break down the everyday activities that can make or break morale and productivity, without blowing your budget or overhauling everything. If you want smart, actionable leadership strategies to build a powerhouse team that runs smoothly (without constant handholding and micromanagement), this episode is your no-fluff guide to streamlining your systems and empowering your people. You'll hear real-life examples from clients, practical tips using tools you probably already have, and the simple fixes that foster a culture of confidence, clarity, and trust. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Have you ever noticed how your team's energy shifts once they realize you're serious about raising the bar? In this episode, I'm sharing three powerful leadership moves that have the potential to instantly transform your team's attitude with no big speeches required. These moves might feel bold or even a little uncomfortable at first, but trust me, they're all about rebuilding trust, accountability, and performance. I've watched teams break free from drama and low effort just by making these leadership changes.   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Want to take your team building to the next level? In this episode, I shared why activities like trivia nights or axe throwing might be fun, but don't truly develop your team or business culture. Instead, I reveal my favorite business-focused exercise: teaching your team service with empathy. I walk you through real-life scenarios that boost understanding, improve client interactions, and create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. If you want to level up your leadership and build a team that truly thrives, this is the episode you don't want to miss! Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

How do you keep ambitious, high-performing team members engaged and inspired, especially when they want more than you can offer right now? In this episode, I'll share why giving out raises or perks alone isn't enough to retain your very best people. I'll dig into what ambitious team members really want, like career path visibility, opportunities to take on important projects, mentorship, and the chance to influence others. Drawing from research, real-world examples, and our signature tools such as the Career Pathing framework and the 5R Work Plan, I'll walk you through some of the common mistakes leaders make with high performers. I'll also provide practical strategies to help you turn ambitious team members into loyal, long-term leaders within your business. If you've ever worried about losing top talent, struggled with mapping out growth opportunities, or wondered how to elevate your team without burning out, this episode is for you.   Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

If you've ever had a team member close your office door or send you a late-night message sharing a deeply personal challenge, I know exactly how overwhelming that can feel. On one hand, it's a compliment that they trust you. But suddenly, you're carrying more than you ever expected, balancing being a supportive leader with not taking on too much. Today you'll hear my favorite scripts and strategies for responding in the moment, practical ways to offer resources without blurring lines, and tips for protecting your own energy. I'll also talk about how sharing or not sharing can be a sign of trust or a red flag, and why your job is to be resourceful, not a rescuer. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Check out the Ask Shelli scripts. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter  

Ever wonder why your team always seems to be scrambling, missing deadlines, or operating in a constant state of overdrive? This episode is all about the toughest leadership skills—PACE. I share practical strategies for teaching your team when to push harder and when to slow down, how to map energy, and the importance of recovery time after big deadlines. Click here to save your seat for the holiday workshop on Tuesday, October 14. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter      

In today's episode, I'm sharing the five biggest mistakes I keep seeing leaders make over and over again. Don't worry, this isn't about shaming you! I want to help you see what's really holding you back and show you how to make changes that will save you time, energy, money, and credibility. You'll hear stories from my own clients (yes, real examples) and I'll walk you through the lessons they learned, often the hard way, and the practical steps you can take so you don't repeat the same mistakes. If you've ever felt frustrated by the people side of your business, or like you're stuck in a cycle you just can't break out of, you're definitely in the right place. Click here to save your seat for the holiday workshop on Tuesday, October 14. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter    

What really happens if you skip holiday planning as a business leader? You risk burnout, team drama, and missed family moments. On today's Stacking Your Team Podcast, I share real client stories and a simple three-part plan that helps you prepare your business, your team, and yourself for the holiday rush while protecting your peace and wellbeing. Ready to do things differently this season? Join our Sleigh the Season workshop and walk away with a plan that sets you up for a holiday you can be proud of. Click here to save your seat for the holiday workshop. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you elevate your leadership capability. Apply to join the Leadership Lab. Free Resources: Click here to grab our NEWEST resource that guides you through a firing framework that protects your culture and your credibility. Check out more free resources here. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter