Everyone’s blaming the usual suspects: skills shortages, inflation, NI and/or minimum wage increases or market conditions (local or global). But the truth is, most businesses in Devon and across the South West aren’t struggling because of external factors. They’re stuck because leadership hasn’t adapted to the new demands of their teams.

At wavemind, we work with business owners across the UK, especially in Devon, who feel like they’ve hit a ceiling. Growth has slowed. Culture feels flat. They’re stretched too thin, and so are their teams.

Here’s what we’re seeing:

• Many leaders believe their culture is fine, but internal surveys are telling a different story.

• Staff dissatisfaction is rising, according to the CIPD’s Good Work Index 2024.

• People with options are leaving. Not just for higher salaries, but for healthier, values-led work environments.

  
  

This is the gap between culture and performance. And it’s holding good businesses back.

The Patterns We See:

• Founder bottlenecks. The MD is still involved in every major decision.

• Leadership behaviours are inconsistent. Values may be written down but aren’t lived daily.

• Burnout at the top. Leaders are holding it all together but losing momentum and clarity.

  
  

These are NOT HR issues. They’re leadership issues. And they won’t be solved by pizza and a few beers on a Friday or another staff survey which fails to produce and changes.

What Needs to Change:

1. Clarity in behaviour. It’s not about having the right words. It’s about the leaders daily actions that build trust.

2. Leadership by permission, not position. Real influence comes from how you show up, not your job title (this is really hard).

3. Culture as a performance tool. When leadership, values, and behaviours align, performance improves.

   
   

A Real Example from Devon:

One organisation in Exeter approached wavemind after losing three senior team members in six months. The MD was exhausted and close to stepping back. Over six months, we helped them:

• Align leadership behaviours across their senior team

• Improve communication and accountability

• Rebuild trust with staff and increase retention

  
  

They’re now growing again, with a culture that feels clear and sustainable.

This Work Pays Off

If you're running a business in Devon or the wider South West and growth feels harder than it should, the issue might not be your strategy. It might be how your leadership is being experienced.

wavemind provides one-to-one support for leaders who care about their people, their culture, and doing business the right way.

We’re currently open to one new client. If you want to explore whether we’re a good fit, get in touch for a confidential chat.