In less than 20 minutes a week, we'll introduce you to an expert or business owner with deep experience in what they do. Grow you, grow your team, grow a small business. Welcome to the "Grow a Small Business" podcast with your host, Michael Denehey. In this episode, Michael interviews Paul Ross from Performance by Design, based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. In this episode of the Grow a small business podcast, Paul Ross discusses the critical role of leadership, trust, and vulnerability in building successful teams, drawing from his extensive experience in sports and business. Additionally, host Michael introduces transformative programs aimed at small business owners, including an 80-day Business Transformation program and the Ultimate Recruitment Toolkit, designed to empower managers with essential tools and strategies for team optimization and recruitment excellence. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Leadership Impact: Paul emphasised the significant impact leaders have on shaping organisational culture. Their behaviours set the tone for the entire team, influencing productivity and morale.   Culture Code: Defining clear behaviours aligned with organisational values is essential for creating a strong culture. It's not enough to simply state values; they must be actively lived and systemized throughout the organisation.   Trust as Action: Trust is built through consistent actions over time. Paul likened it to depositing into a Trust Bank; leaders who consistently demonstrate trustworthiness fill their Trust Banks, fostering stronger relationships and collaboration. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Relationship Building: Building strong relationships within the team fosters trust and enhances collaboration. Paul encouraged leaders to actively engage with team members, getting to know them beyond work-related matters.   Vulnerability: Authenticity and openness contribute to building trust and stronger connections within the team. Leaders should be themselves and encourage others to do the same, fostering a culture of honesty and support.   Continuous Feedback: Regular, constructive feedback is crucial for personal and organisational growth. Paul emphasised the importance of incorporating feedback into daily interactions rather than waiting for formal reviews.   Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximise your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. ?     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Leadership isn't about titles, it's about actions that inspire – Paul Ross Authenticity breeds trust; be yourself and watch your team thrive – Paul Ross Culture is built on behaviours, not just words on a wall – Paul Ross