After a short break, Janelle and Rebekah return with a clear intention: to revisit the leadership mistakes that shaped them and to share the lessons they wish they had learned earlier. The episode opens with an honest look at how easy it is for leaders to get too casual with their teams. They laugh about the playful moments from years ago, but they also recognize how quickly boundaries can blur when familiarity outweighs structure. What felt harmless in the moment often became the root of challenges they had to correct later.

Their reflection moves naturally into the discomfort of coaching. Both admit that waiting too long to address behavior was a mistake they made early and often. New leaders hope an issue will fade on its own or assume that a team member will self-correct. But experience shows that silence rarely helps. They emphasize the importance of addressing concerns while the moment is still fresh, not weeks later when the context is gone. Even so, they stress the value of protecting dignity by choosing the right setting and avoiding corrections that feel public or humiliating. Directness, when delivered with care, is what actually strengthens a team.

They then revisit the emotional weight of letting someone go. It is never easy, especially when the person is well-liked, but holding on too long has consequences that ripple through the entire clinic. When a weak hire stays, the team absorbs the extra work, resentment grows, and culture suffers. At the same time, they acknowledge the opposite mistake—cutting someone too quickly before giving them a fair chance. For them, leadership is the ongoing search for balance between patience and decisiveness.

The conversation closes on a familiar trap: panic hiring. When the pressure to fill a role builds, it becomes tempting to overlook red flags or convince yourself that a candidate might work out with time. They admit that every panic hire they’ve made ended up creating more work, more stress, and ultimately another difficult decision. Their return episode becomes a reminder that leadership improves when leaders slow down, reflect honestly, and stay committed to clarity over comfort.