In my work with agency owners, one truth has become increasingly clear:
A big part of what I do is helping untangle the giant knot that is their business. Whether it’s the mess they’re in today or the complexity of the future they’re building toward.
These knots often consist of competing priorities, scattered initiatives, and the looming pressure to “get it right.” The complexity feels overwhelming, and understandably so. When you’re in the thick of things, it’s tough to see what’s really going on, let alone what to do next.
A Common Incentive Trap
Recently, a client approached me with a goal that’s incredibly common among agency leaders:
“I want my team to be more proactive in growing the business.”
Their proposed solution? A profit-sharing plan.
Now, on the surface, that makes perfect sense. If team members have more skin in the game, they’ll naturally step up…right?
Here’s my mildly spicy take: profit sharing is rarely a good idea.
While it sounds like a silver bullet, in practice, it almost never creates the level of ownership or motivation leaders are hoping for. More often, it introduces another layer of misalignment, particularly when the plan doesn’t match how value is actually created within the business.
And worst of all? Once a profit-sharing structure is in place, it’s very hard to unwind. You’ve now added a near permanent knot, one that restricts rather than frees your team.
Zooming Out to See Clearly
Instead of diving headfirst into compensation restructuring, we zoomed out. We asked: What’s the real goal here?
Turns out, it wasn’t about incentives. It was about connection.
What this leader really wanted was a team that felt engaged, valued, and committed to the mission.
So, we redirected the same budget into something far more aligned with that vision:
- A second annual team retreat
- Simple but meaningful appreciation rituals
- Ongoing growth and learning opportunities
Same dollars. Way more impact. No long-term handcuffs.
Solving the Right Problem
This experience is a great reminder:
We often try to solve business problems by reacting to symptoms.
But lasting transformation happens when we dig into the root challenge, the one decision or shift that unlocks clarity and momentum across the board. When we address that, everything else starts to detangle.
That’s nearly impossible to do when you’re in the weeds. Especially when you feel like you’re falling behind. (Ever tried to untie a knot in a rush? Not fun.)
The Real Challenge
The hard part isn’t always the strategy.
Sometimes, the real work is carving out the space and perspective to figure out what really matters. To see the system clearly. To decide what knot is worth untying first and which ones can wait.
And no, you’re not alone in feeling like others have it all figured out. More often than not, they’re just working through a different tangle of their own.
Sincerely,
Russel
“The Backboard”
