Clarifying Roles to Boost Productivity: Overcoming the Hidden Costs of Role Tax | Growth by Design

Welcome back to Growth by Design, brought to you by RX2 Solutions, because growth does not happen by accident, it happens by design. This episode takes a closer look at the often-overlooked cost of role tax in small businesses, where blurred responsibilities and unclear expectations quietly drain productivity. Hosts Rob Graham and Ross Rosner break down how overlapping roles create friction, slow decision-making, and pull teams away from their highest-value work.

Throughout the conversation, Rob Graham and Ross Rosner share practical strategies for restoring clarity across teams. The discussion covers how to define role ownership, set clear task objectives, and create clean handoffs that keep work moving forward. Real-world examples and case studies bring these ideas to life, along with tools like Asana and structured exercises designed to reassess and realign responsibilities.

The takeaway is simple but powerful. When roles are clearly defined and ownership is intentional, teams operate with more focus, accountability, and momentum. This episode offers actionable insights small business leaders can apply immediately to reduce friction, improve efficiency, and build a stronger foundation for growth.

00:00 Introduction to Growth by Design 00:10 Understanding the Hidden Cost of Role Tax 01:00 Defining Clear Objectives and Ownership 02:11 Challenges in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses 02:58 Finding the Middle Ground in Management 03:08 Implementing Ownership Tests 06:50 Case Study: Pure Tech Digital and Asana 09:19 Practical Steps for Role Clarity 11:29 Conclusion and Takeaways

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Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

Reflecting on 2025 and Predictions for 2026

Welcome back to Growth by Design. At RX2 Solutions, growth is shaped through intention, structure, and a clear understanding of the people who drive an organization forward. In this episode, Rob Graham and Ross Rosner take a step back to reflect on a turbulent 2025. From tariffs to market swings to a government shutdown, the year delivered more uncertainty than most leaders anticipated. Even so, the real focus of the conversation is a look at season one of the show and the consistent theme that surfaced across every discussion. People strategy matters more than anything else when it comes to building a healthy business.

The conversation revisits foundational topics from the season, including labor economics, the financial impact of hiring and firing, and the weight culture and communication carry in retaining great people. Small businesses feel these dynamics more intensely, which is why thoughtful leadership and steady processes become essential. When employees understand expectations and feel supported by strong managers, retention strengthens, and organizations move with more confidence.

The episode closes with forward-looking insight and predictions for 2026. Discussion points include expected GDP growth, sectors that may gain momentum, and the continued impact of emerging technologies on job markets. It is a grounded, practical look at what leaders should be paying attention to as they prepare for the year ahead.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and 2025 Recap

01:22 Reflecting on the First Episode

02:24 The Importance of Investing in Employees

05:32 Labor Economics and Hiring Challenges

10:37 Company Culture and Leadership

12:38 HR and Financial Considerations

17:51 Predictions for 2026

23:23 Conclusion and New Year Wishes

If you enjoy the conversation, please like, comment, and subscribe. It helps the message reach more leaders who are working to build resilient, people-first organizations.

The New Employer Value Proposition

Welcome back to Growth by Design. At RX2 Solutions, growth is built through clarity, intention, and a people-first mindset. This episode focuses on one of the most important drivers of retention for younger talent. Purpose. Pay matters, but purpose is what inspires long-term commitment, especially for millennials and Gen Z.

Rob Graham and Ross Rosner explore how small businesses can communicate their vision with more intention during the hiring process and throughout the employee experience. When candidates understand where a company is going and why the work matters, they show up more engaged and stay connected longer.

The conversation highlights examples from organizations like Ritz Carlton and Patagonia, where clear behaviors and a defined mission shape daily decisions. The discussion moves from high-level inspiration to practical strategies any small business can apply. Aligning values with expectations, reinforcing purpose through leadership actions, and creating space for employees to share meaningful feedback all help build stronger cultures that retain great people.

The episode closes with real-world examples showing how purpose-driven workplaces outperform. When employees feel connected to something greater than their job description, retention strengthens and the entire organization benefits.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction to Growth by Design

00:10 Understanding the Value of Purpose in the Workplace

01:14 Implementing Purpose in Small Businesses

02:37 Examples of Successful Organizational Behaviors

04:06 The Impact of Clear Behaviors on Business Success

09:59 Case Studies, Patagonia and Microsoft

12:43 Gathering Employee Feedback for Improvement

18:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If the conversation brings value to your leadership approach, take a moment to like, comment, and subscribe. It helps more leaders build workplaces grounded in purpose, clarity, and genuine connection.