I am blessed with a daughter who works in trauma management, and the stories she shares—though never in full detail—along with my own five decades of experience in business, have led me to a firm belief: Trauma, in so many ways, is rooted in our environments. We’ve all seen the effects of broken relationships, whether personal or professional. And while I’m not a psychologist, I believe deeply that toxic environments are a key contributor to trauma.

Consider the workplace. We spend a third of our lives there. And yet, in toxic work environments, people often don’t realize they’re even part of the problem. The truth is, leaders can unknowingly create cultures that erode trust, commitment, and connection.

John C. Maxwell famously said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” But here’s the thing: leadership is not synonymous with management. When we reduce leadership to just a position of authority, we send the message that only top executives are responsible for shaping culture. In reality, leadership exists at every level. Imagine a business where every individual is empowered to lead. That idea may make some managers uncomfortable, but that’s because we often confuse leadership with control.

So how do you fuel your business?

Much like the human body requires nutrition to stay healthy, businesses need their own kind of “fuel” to thrive. At SlightlySkew, we believe that businesses deprived of this critical fuel—a clear vision, core values, culture, and strong leadership—end up cultivating toxicity. Without these essential nutrients, people work against each other, conflict becomes routine, and gossip thrives. Team members lose commitment, and hiring and firing becomes the norm.

We guide business owners to start with a clear vision, much like Simon Sinek’s “just cause.” A strong vision stands for something, not just against something. And here’s the catch—it’s not enough to simply craft a vision. You, as the business owner, must live and breathe it every day. If you don’t carry that vision with you, your people won’t either. They’ll create their own, and it may not align with yours.

Then there’s the core value. Notice I say “value”—singular. Brené Brown’s research shows that it’s impossible to truly live more than one core value at a time. If you try, it becomes a hollow tick-box exercise. The real work is in leaning fully into that one value, making sure your words and actions reflect it consistently. People are watching how you show up, and that value needs to guide every decision.

These elements—vision and core values—lay the groundwork for the culture you want to build. Whether you strive for an entrepreneurial spirit or a more hierarchical structure, it’s your responsibility to foster the culture you desire and ensure your team supports it.

Finally, we introduce the 5 Levels of Leadership as defined by John C. Maxwell. We help employees at all levels understand that true leadership begins with doing their own work well (Level 1), then moves to building relationships (Level 2), then move to productivity (Level 3) and finally, to mentoring others, whether they’re above, beside, or below you in the organisation.

Fuelling business vitality is about more than strategy—it’s about creating environments where people can thrive, where leadership is everyone’s responsibility, and where culture is the foundation for success. This is the work we do at SlightlySkew, helping you fuel your business for long-term health and impact.

What is the value of a business fuelled by vitality?

• Engaged Employees: Employee engagement is more than just productivity. It’s about emotional commitment and enthusiasm. Engaged teams are 17% more productive, have 41% lower absenteeism, and experience a 59% reduction in turnover. They also show a 10% increase in customer satisfaction, according to Gallup. A business that fuels vitality sees these kinds of results because its people are fully invested, not just in the work, but in the purpose of the business itself.
• Clarity in Communication: Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” In a vital business, leaders engage in tough conversations rather than avoiding them. Honest, direct feedback is crucial to maintaining trust. When we dodge difficult discussions, we fuel passive-aggressive behaviour, gossip, and distrust. Clarity is an act of empathy, and it prevents the toxic “meeting after the meeting” syndrome where people hide their true thoughts. Showing up for a “rumble,” as Brown calls it, keeps communication open and trust alive.
• Creating a Legacy: As Shannon Alder wisely said, “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones.” Legacy isn’t just about the bottom line—it’s about the stories people tell about how you led, how you cared, and how you made them feel. A business fuelled by vitality is a business that leaves a lasting, positive impact, not just on customers and profits, but on the hearts of those who’ve worked within it.

Fuelling business vitality is about more than strategy—it’s about creating environments where people can thrive, where leadership is everyone’s responsibility, and where culture is the foundation for success. This is the work we do at SlightlySkew, helping you fuel your business for long-term health and impact.