Scaling from a small practice to a true advisory business isn’t just about adding people. It’s about evolving into the kind of leader who can hold both vision and structure—without running yourself into the ground.
If you’re already leading three or more people, you’ve likely discovered the real challenge: it’s not hiring “good people.” It’s building a business that can run, grow, and eventually scale without everything depending on you.
Here’s a seven-part framework to help you grow a 5–10 person advisory team with both clarity and sustainability.
1.
Master Inner Leadership Before Outer Leadership
Growth often outpaces leadership until you deliberately close the gap.
- Values: Identify your three to five non-negotiables. These become your compass when tough decisions arise.
- Style: Tools like Behaviors and Motivators Assessments reveal how you naturally lead—and where you may unintentionally create friction.
- Rhythm: Renewal is part of leadership. Block “spaciousness time” so you pass clarity, not chaos, to your team.
Take a moment to consider: What parts of your current leadership style energize your team—and which drain them?
2.
Lead Each Person as They’re Wired
A Dominant thrives on challenge. An Influencer needs recognition. A Steady personality seeks predictability. A Compliant thrives on detail. Layer in motivators—truth, efficiency, harmony, service, achievement, and principles—and you reveal what truly fuels each member.
Keep a one-page profile on every team member. It’s the simplest, highest-return leadership tool you’ll ever use.
Take a moment to consider: Do you know what truly drives each person on your team—or are you leading them all the same way?
3.
Grow Leadership Capacity Before Headcount
Your firm cannot grow faster than you do.
Shift your role mix from 90% production to include coaching, strategy, and culture-building. Learn to coach rather than control. Develop skill in navigating tension-filled conversations.
Otherwise, you risk building a bigger team around the same bottleneck—you.
Take a moment to consider: Are you spending more time producing than leading? What would change if that balance shifted?
4.
Build Roles, Not Just Jobs
Hiring from pain (“I need help now”) breeds dysfunction.
Instead, map the three-year org chart. Write role scorecards with measurable outcomes. Define decision rights. Only then do you hire.
This avoids “Frankenstein teams” that cost more energy than they save.
Take a moment to consider: If someone asked your team members for their top three outcomes—would they all know?
5.
Install Systems That Scale Early
The difference between a three-person practice and a 10-person firm is systems.
Three non-negotiables:
- A scripted, consistent client onboarding process.
- Clear communication rhythms (daily huddles, weekly tactical, monthly strategic).
- Shared accountability tools where nothing lives only in your head.
These aren’t “someday” projects. They’re the scaffolding of sustainable growth.
6.
Protect Your Energy Like Capital (Because It Is)
Leadership energy is your most expensive and least renewable resource.
- Limit availability. Boundaries protect focus.
- Delegate authority, not just tasks.
- Develop a second-in-command who can make decisions in your absence.
Your team doesn’t need a hero. They need a steady leader who models sustainability.
7.
Lead With Vision, Not Reaction
Vision isn’t a poster—it’s your firm’s operational anchor.
State your “why” with conviction. Paint a three-year picture vivid enough for every team member to see themselves in it. Repeat it so often they can finish your sentences.
Reactionary leaders build chaos. Visionary leaders build legacy.
Take a moment to consider: Can your team describe your three-year vision without you in the room?
From Advisor to Builder
Scaling to 10 people isn’t just about growth—it’s succession in disguise. If you don’t evolve, the firm stalls at the limit of your bandwidth. But when you align inner growth with outer structure, you stop losing your mind and start building an enterprise that lasts.
The Invitation
If you’re leading a 5–10+ person financial advisory or insurance team and want to free yourself from production while still driving growth, here are two ways I can help:
👉 Download The 7-Step Team Builder’s Blueprint — a practical resource to help you expand your team without losing momentum. Just fill out the form below to receive the download in your inbox.
And if you’d like a tailored roadmap for your firm’s transition, I invite you to book a complimentary strategic conversation. Together, we’ll explore how I can support you as a Fractional COO to strengthen your leadership, install the right systems, and ensure your firm scales with clarity and confidence.