---
title: Episode 164 - The Inevitable Conflict in Growing Businesses with Mike Jones
description: Dave and Richard offer real business advice from real entrepreneurs.
image: https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/Landscape-Mar-17-2026-02-58-30-0935-PM.png
---

[Skip to content](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-164-the-inevitable-conflict-in-growing-businesses-with-mike-jones#main-content)

[![sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png?width=800&height=353&name=sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png) ![sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png?width=800&height=353&name=sme-growth-wellmeadow-podcast-logo-white.png)](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com)

[LET'S TALK](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/podcast-guest)

<https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-164-the-inevitable-conflict-in-growing-businesses-with-mike-jones#tmpglobal_header_nav>

- [Home](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com)
- [Episodes](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes)

###### 4 min read

# Episode 164 - The Inevitable Conflict in Growing Businesses with Mike Jones

By: [Richard Buckle](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/author/richard-buckle) on  Mar 20, 2026, 9:19:28 AM

[The SME Growth Podcast](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/tag/the-sme-growth-podcast)

![Featured Image](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/Landscape-Mar-17-2026-02-58-30-0935-PM.png)

In this episode, we explore a challenge that almost every growing business encounters but few openly address: the tension between growth and operational reality. We discuss how winning new business, while exciting on the surface, often creates friction internally, particularly between sales, leadership, and operations teams. As businesses scale, differing motivations and ways of thinking can lead to misalignment, frustration, and ultimately inefficiency if not handled deliberately.

We examine how leaders can navigate this complexity by creating alignment, setting clear non-negotiables, and fostering a culture that accepts a degree of discomfort as part of growth. Rather than avoiding conflict, we consider how to channel it productively, balancing customer needs, team wellbeing, and commercial viability. The conversation centres on building a “win-win” business, where growth is both sustainable and meaningful, supported by structure, communication, and shared purpose.

 

You can listen to the full episode here 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Gaxn8ZxOaA?si=13soqhdWfnoh_T1d" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen style="position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: none;"></iframe>

##### Listen to the full episode now

[![https://open.spotify.com/episode/0f2ySwQHwCU3vUiZLTCsNT?si=4c7UkeV7QzG9v\_Kt6gIRaw](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-home-spotify.png?width=238&height=128&name=sme-growth-podcast-home-spotify.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CGj5aUBcOwY3rqd5Ud1FJ)[![https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sme-growth-podcast-by-wellmeadow/id1654715808](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-apple.png?width=221&height=119&name=sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-apple.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sme-growth-podcast-by-wellmeadow/id1654715808)[![https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-youtube.png?width=228&height=123&name=sme-growth-podcast-home-icons-youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast)

#### Key Topics Discussed:

- Why growth naturally creates tension between teams
- The importance of alignment around goals, strategy, and expectations
- Different team motivations and how they impact decision-making
- The danger of over-optimising for the customer (e.g. underpricing or over-customising)
- Defining and communicating non-negotiables in the business
- The “win-win” approach across customers, team, and financial performance
- The role of leadership mindset in shaping culture and behaviour
- Introducing structure: 90-day goals and weekly accountability rhythms
- The concept of “comfort vs growth zones” in business
- Building a culture that embraces productive discomfort rather than avoiding it

#### Who Is This Episode For:

This episode is particularly relevant for business owners, managing directors, and senior leaders in SMEs who are navigating growth or planning to scale. It will also resonate with operations leaders, sales and marketing teams, and anyone responsible for aligning people, processes, and performance within a growing organisation.

 

#### Quotes to Remember:

*“Ultimately what it comes down to is alignment, getting the team aligned and clear on the objectives and goals.”*

*“We only exist as businesses… to solve someone else’s problem.”*

*“If you go in with your non-negotiables, it forces you to come to solutions.”*

 

#### Actionable Takeaways:

1. Define clear **non-negotiables** (e.g. revenue targets, service standards) to guide decision-making
2. Introduce a **90-day planning cycle** to maintain focus and momentum
3. Establish a **weekly cadence** (meetings + metrics) to track progress and maintain accountability
4. Involve your team in **strategy discussions** to improve buy-in and reduce resistance
5. Recognise and respect **different thinking styles** across departments
6. Avoid over-serving customers at the expense of **profitability or sustainability**
7. Create space for **open conversations** about friction and challenges
8. Align incentives with behaviours you actually want to see
9. Build a culture where **healthy discomfort is expected**, not avoided
10. Regularly revisit goals and ask: *"What does a true win-win look like here?”*

🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions.

Got feedback or questions? Let us know in the comments – we read them all! 

---

🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | YouTube  
📨 For enquiries or speaking requests: contact@wellmeadow.co.uk

Share your thoughts and business challenges in the comments section of our community page: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast/community](https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast/community)

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

<https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-155-is-it-really-a-great-business-idea>

## [Episode 155 - Is It Really a Great Business Idea?](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-155-is-it-really-a-great-business-idea)

Starting a business often begins with a spark of enthusiasm; a great idea, a passion, or a skill we...

<https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-139-is-inbound-important-for-your-business-the-6-box-model>

## [Episode 139 - Is Inbound Important For Your Business- The 6 Box Model](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-139-is-inbound-important-for-your-business-the-6-box-model)

In this episode, we take a deep dive into **inbound marketing**, the first “box” in our 6 Box Model. We...

<https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-160-why-your-busy-schedule-is-actually-sabotaging-growth>

## [Episode 160 - Why Your Busy Schedule Is Actually Sabotaging Growth](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-160-why-your-busy-schedule-is-actually-sabotaging-growth)

In this episode, we explore a myth that quietly shapes far too many businesses: the belief that...

##### Who we are

Who we are

Dave Parry and Rich Buckle are founders/directors of Wellmeadow.  Having chaired over 3,000 board meetings, and worked with over 100+ companies, they wanted to share their knowledge with a wider audience. The SME Growth Podcast is a vehicle to share insights and practical tips with people working at all levels of SME businesses.

##### Featured Podcast

Featured Podcast

<https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-186-the-power-of-strategic-focus-why-great-businesses-say-no-more-often>

###### [Episode 186 - The Power of Strategic Focus: Why Great Businesses Say No More Often](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-186-the-power-of-strategic-focus-why-great-businesses-say-no-more-often)

Growth is often associated with doing more: winning more customers, launching more services and...

##### Contact us

Contact us

#### **Email:** [contact@wellmeadow.co.uk](mailto:contact@wellmeadow.co.uk)

#### **Tel:** 01743 367671

#### **Visit Us:** Unit 2 Nexus, Roushill, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PT

[![by-wellmeadow-footer](https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/by-wellmeadow-footer.png?width=250&height=35&name=by-wellmeadow-footer.png)](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/)

- [Cookie Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/cookies)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/privacy)
- [Acceptable Use Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/acceptable-use)
- [Terms of Use Policy](https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/terms-of-website-use)

© 2026 Wellmeadow Limited

<https://www.facebook.com/wellmeadow><https://twitter.com/wellmeadow><https://www.instagram.com/_wellmeadow_/><https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellmeadow-limited/><https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast>

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Richard Buckle",
    "url" : "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/author/richard-buckle"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-03-20T09:19:28.277Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-03-20T09:19:28.000Z",
  "headline" : "Episode 164 - The Inevitable Conflict in Growing Businesses with Mike Jones",
  "image" : [ "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/Landscape-Mar-17-2026-02-58-30-0935-PM.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/episodes/episode-164-the-inevitable-conflict-in-growing-businesses-with-mike-jones",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.smegrowthpodcast.com/hubfs/sme-growth-podcast-logo-white.png"
    },
    "name" : "SME Growth Podcast"
  }
}
```