In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the CEO & Founder of The Delforge Group LTD, Valerie Delforge. Valerie Delforge is just the founder and CEO of The Delforge Group. She's a visionary who has carved a niche in the consulting world, guiding business owners toward exponential growth. Although rooted in the spa and beauty sector, her expertise transcends industries, offering a universal blueprint for entrepreneurial success. Valerie began her career immersed in the beauty industry, climbing the ranks to oversee spa operations for a leading corporation. Her experiences there sparked a realization: she had more to offer. This epiphany led to the birth of her consulting firm, where she now nurtures the growth of businesses, helping owners refine their strategies and mindsets. Valerie's book, "I'd Rather Do It Myself: From Micromanagement to Leadership," serves as a manifesto for entrepreneurs trapped in the cycle of micromanagement. She delved into the heart of this challenge—relinquishing control—and its profound effects on leadership dynamics and team morale. Through her work, Valerie has witnessed firsthand the destructive nature of micromanagement. It erodes trust, stifles creativity, and upsets the delicate work-life balance. She recounted stories of clients who, despite their best intentions, suffocated their teams under the weight of excessive oversight, leading to diminished business performance.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Valerie Delforge's background in the beauty industry and her transition to founding The Delforge Group
• Challenges entrepreneurs face in letting go of control as their businesses grow
• Impact of micromanagement on leadership and team dynamics
• Importance of understanding one's leadership style and its impact on the business
• Negative consequences of micromanagement on trust, team culture, and work-life balance
• Examples of clients who struggled with micromanagement and its effects on their businesses
• Valerie's approach to helping leaders, focusing on soft skills of leadership

About Valerie Delforge:

Valerie Delforge, an International Business Strategy Consultant since 2013, leverages her extensive experience in the beauty and wellness industry to guide entrepreneurs, owners, and CEOs towards success. With a remarkable career that includes roles at Clinique, Clarins, Urban Retreat, L’Occitane, Bliss Spa, and as Head of Spa Operation for Steiner Europe, Valerie founded The Delforge Group®. This online training hub offers a mix of one-to-one coaching and online training programs focusing on retail training for teams and managers, management to leadership, and reception. Valerie’s mission is to boost her clients’ profitability and cash flow while helping them achieve their dreams. She shares her vast knowledge and passion for coaching to empower businesses to reach new heights.

About The Delforge Group LTD:

Founded by Valerie Delforge in 2013, The Delforge Group® LTD specializes in bespoke programs designed to set businesses up for success. With a strong foundation in operational management, the company offers comprehensive support for various business needs, including launching new ventures, restructuring existing ones, or reviewing current performance. The inception of The Delforge Group® stemmed from Valerie's recruitment to support a large-scale project, showcasing her expertise and leading the company to flourish. Focused on achieving clients' goals, The Delforge Group® combines Valerie's vast industry experience with personalized strategies, ensuring tailored solutions that drive growth and efficiency for businesses across different stages of their development.

Tweetable Moments:

08:04 - "I think the lack of trust becomes a real impact in a team." 10:59 - "We want them to succeed. I want them to be better than me because if you're better than me, you're going to do even more things."

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Want to learn more? Check out The Delforge Group LTD website at https://www.thedelforgegroup.co.uk/ Check out The Delforge Group LTD on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-delforge-group%C2%AE-ltd/ Check out The Delforge Group LTD on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thedelforgegroup Check out The Delforge Group LTD on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thedelforgegroup/ Check out Valerie Delforge on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedelforgegroup/ Check out Valerie Delforge on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stephanamjohnson Check out Valerie Delforge on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/stephanajohnson

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