Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsay Bradley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lindsay , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

The most important lesson I learned in my career came when I realized that when your values no longer align with the work you’re doing or the company you work for, no amount of money can fill that gap.

Many years ago, I was excited to land an executive leadership role in a small but successful family-owned business. I was recruited to bring an “experienced and outside perspective” in hopes of helping them reach the next level. Little did I know, my inexperience in navigating family dynamics was about to face a harsh reality check!

I absolutely loved the work I was doing. It was an opportunity to learn about a new industry, engage many of my skills, be creative, and do one of my favorite things—problem-solving. I am not sure anything excites me more than to challenge a mindset that operates on “but we’ve always done it this way.”

I made significant process and operational improvements leading to positive changes—both from a financial and workplace morale perspective. At first, these new changes seemed to be welcomed by the family, but then little by little, a shift started happening. I began to realize that “yes!” response I had originally received after asking if they were committed to change started to conflict with their actions, especially when it came to addressing family member actions and behaviors that were not, shall we say, ideal. This was just one of the signs that a mismatch in values and expectations was looming over this workplace experience.

And as more time went by, I became even more disconnected with the work I was doing and the people I was working for/with. I was essentially going through the motions, feeling completely discouraged and uninspired. I was watching poor financial decisions be made, bad behaviors be ignored, all the while knowing I did not (and would not) have the support or power to do anything about it. I had 2 choices: stay, ignore all the things that were eating at me, and go on collecting my paycheck, or do the really brave thing and walk away in the name of higher purpose.

I realized that by continuing to do nothing, it was not only keeping me from pursuing my purpose and sharing my gifts with those who could appreciate and find value in them; I was sacrificing my happiness. I had spent too much time working toward something and alongside others who didn’t wholeheartedly share the same values. I had to face the harsh reality that I was always going to be the “outsider” because at the end of the day, I wasn’t family. The organizational dysfunction and lack of values alignment meant my journey with this company needed to end.

One day it finally happened.

I turned in my resignation, which was met with an offer of more money to stay. I basically chuckled to myself, taking it as confirmation I had made the right choice. I had actually done it. I walked away from my comfortable but soul-sucking 6-figure job without having clients, systems, or even a backup plan. And I am not even going to dive into the COVID-19 plot twist that happened shortly thereafter…

And I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Today, my HR consulting business is driven by a mission—to help small organizations build sustainable, values-driven cultures that create mutual value exchange. I wanted to work with founders who would align actions and decisions with the organization’s values, develop leaders who inspire, and create environments where true growth could happen.

I now get to partner with founders and franchisees to help them build and scale their company through people-forward strategies, and my engagements all start with an alignment call. This ensures we share similar values and are working on the same goal. No more settling when things feel icky! I get to choose who I work with. And if we agree it’s a good match, then the first step in my process includes completing foundational work. This means we work together to define the company’s mission, vision, core values, and core behaviors. Without knowing the “why” behind your company, you will never be able to build a team that will help you bring it to life.

The lesson I learned was this: when you’re not in alignment with your work, you’re not serving anyone—least of all yourself. That realization was the spark that helped me build something truly meaningful. I share this because it’s not just about having a job that pays the bills—it’s about finding a mission and purpose that resonates with your heart. When you align your values with the work you do, the impact you make is exponential. For me, helping founders build a strong people and culture foundation is more than a career—it’s a calling.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I founded Guided Arrows in 2019 after more than 15 years in operations, HR, and executive leadership. Having experienced toxic work environments and difficult bosses firsthand, I’ve made it my mission to guide and educate small business owners on the importance of aligning operational and human needs. When these two components are in sync, it creates a workplace where everyone wins!

As a people and culture strategist, I combine my expertise, passion, and creativity to help founders and franchisees establish essential HR frameworks and equip them with the tools to future-proof their business. I focus on six key areas to proactively align people and culture with business goals:

1. Establish your leadership vision, core values, and organizational structure

2. Create a company culture that you and your team can be proud of

3. Hire, onboard, and retain the best people; putting them in the right roles at the right time

4. Set performance standards that encourage growth and accountability

5. Create scalable systems to maximize efficiency and productivity

6. Understand employment laws and maintain compliance

The work I do is highly customized. I take the time to understand each client’s business and the unique challenges they face. Rather than handing over generic templates and sending them on their way, I offer tailored solutions that address their specific needs. This is why my engagements typically last anywhere from 3 months to over a year, depending on the company’s size and requirements.

What sets me apart in this unique HR strategy space is that I act as a true partner to business owners, helping them navigate challenges that can often feel daunting—like managing people or understanding the legal side of things. I take the time to understand their long-term vision and provide a clear, actionable plan that aligns with their goals, ensuring they stay on track to achieve the future they envision.

If you choose to partner with me, understand that it’s not my job to simply agree with you—especially when you claim that you’re doing everything right, and that your employees are to blame for a poor culture, high turnover, and struggling business. You’ll need to take responsibility and own your part in the situation. While it may be tough to hear the truth, there’s no value in this process for either of us if we shy away from the hard conversations.

One of my core values is “do what’s right, not what’s easy.” So, expect no sugarcoating, no tiptoeing around sensitive topics. Here’s what you can expect when partnering with me:

• We’ll have candid conversations that will uncover the small issues causing big, avoidable problems.
• I’ll ask powerful questions that help reveal blind spots you may not see—or may be refusing to see.
• You’ll gain insights into your strengths as a leader, helping you grow into a better owner.
• I’ll help you design a workplace experience that benefits both you and your employees.
• I’ll guide you in increasing productivity and engagement, leading to greater income.

If you’re ready to be honest about the state of your business and put in the work, my people and culture strategies can help you get where you want to go!

Any advice for managing a team?

Great question! I get this one a lot during my speaking engagements, especially from new business owners who have never managed anyone before.

I think practicing the art of feedback should be a priority for any people leader if they want to build trust with others. And the 3 most important words you need to know are: embrace the suck!

We have been conditioned to think feedback always has to be negative, but that’s not true! Feedback can be a gift when done correctly, so being intentional about creating a feedback loop with your team will show them that they are seen and heard,

Your words may not always come out perfectly, so practicing how to give and receive feedback is critical. Even when the conversations are uncomfortable, providing feedback and taking action on feedback you receive is such an important part of being a strong people leader and creating a healthy team culture. When you share feedback, be sure it is coming from a place of positive intent, creating a learning opportunity, or reinforcing a behavior you want to see repeated. then your team will respect you for sharing it.

So, while you may have to “embrace the suck” of the uncomfortableness that comes with initiating a difficult conversation from time to time, it really shows your team that you care enough to be vulnerable!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is definitely word-of-mouth referrals through local networking. While I do try to keep a strong presence on social media, like LinkedIn and Instagram, to attract new business, I have found that developing and nurturing personal relationships is what brings the most ROI for me.

I have been very intentional about creating strategic partnerships with other business owners or professionals that also serve my ideal small business clients. For me, insurance brokers, leasing agents or commercial real estate brokers, marketing agencies, and even small business bankers are people I highly value in my network.

I make it a point to stay connected through regular thank-you notes or treating them to a coffee date. This time together allows me an opportunity to educate them on my services and the key words to listen for when talking with business owners that could make them a good fit for my service. Most importantly, it gives us a chance to get to know each other on a more personal level. Like Bob Burg says, “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.”

And of course, when a current or past client sends me a referral because of their own experience working with me, well, that is a paycheck to the heart!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.guidedarrows.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guided_arrows/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaybradleynv/

Image Credits

Jeramie Lu Photography