DYB’s Progressive Disciplinary Procedure

You can learn to be a master networker & marketer generating endless referrals.

You can become a master craftsman.

You can become a master salesman.

You can implement a tech stack to streamline your admin, operations, and production systems.

You can learn to job cost, and know your financials forwards and backward.

But leadership…

That’s another story.

Yes, you can learn to lead.

But it’s the most difficult skill to learn and it’s why most businesses never get past the start up stage.

And spin their wheels in $250k – $500k their whole careers.

Most people think they are a leader, they’re really just a “boss”.

Which is leadership Level 1 according to John Maxwell’s book The 5 Levels of Leadership.

Level 2 is permission and then level 3 is production level leadership.

This is where discipline comes in.

They like you, level 2 leadership.

and now they respect you, level 3 leadership.

Today’s focus is on discipline for level 3 leaders.

If you’re still at level 1 or 2 with you team, this will not benefit you until you get to level 3.

Go buy 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell.

For you level 3 and up leaders,

How many times have you become frustrated when an employee continues to show up late or not clock out when they should?

Or when they don’t plan ahead and pick up the supplies or equipment they need beforehand and have to leave the job sight during the day?

Maybe they are constantly running over on hours bid for their projects?

Keith Cunningham nailed it:

“Culture, you get what you tolerate” – Keith Cunningham

But you’re afraid that if you discipline them then you’ll lose them and that they may quit.

Here’s the good news.

That’s highly unlikely.

What usually happens is they are surprised by this because they didn’t realize how serious their error was.

And they do an about face.

A complete turnaround.

And they help others to understand how important it is as well.

Therefore protecting the culture.

Here is the the DYB Progressive Disciplinary Procedure taken out of our membership area of the DYB Cafe which you can get access to below.

But for now, copy, I mean “model” this procedure and implement right away!

DYB’s Progressive Disciplinary Procedure:

Disciplinary action may be any of the following four steps:

1) verbal warning,

2) written warning,

3) suspension without pay,

4) termination of employment.

We will look at how severe the problem is and how often it has happened when deciding which step to take. There may be circumstances when one or more steps are bypassed.

In most cases, progressive discipline means that we will normally take these steps in the following order:

1) a first offense may call for a verbal warning;

2) a next offense may be followed by a written warning,

3) a next offense may be followed by a suspension without pay.

4) still another offense may then lead to termination of employment.

If more than 12 months have passed since the last disciplinary action, the process will normally start over.

By signing this I agree that I have read and understood all that is expected and required of me with my position with PAINTING COMPANY and agree to the conditions and expectations set in this agreement and the Employee Handbook.

Name:________________________________
Date: _______________

“You are the curator of your culture” – Peter Schmidt Past CEO of Porsche

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About the Author

As many of you know, my journey has been one of grit, grace, and transformation. At 19, I was a high school dropout, single father, and struggling paint contractor in Michigan. I later moved to Florida, where I faced both personal and professional hardships. With nothing left to lose, I turned to prayer—and was blessed with a relentless hunger to learn. I devoured books, attended seminars, and discovered better ways to streamline and grow my business—even through the Great Recession (and yes, I did hit the wife lottery along the way!). In 2014, I published How To Double Your Business and later sold the painting business, launching a new chapter: coaching others to grow their businesses. For the past 10 years, I’ve dedicated myself to helping business owners scale through the DYB System, while also drawing from frameworks like EOS, Scaling Up, and The Four Disciplines of Execution. Yet something was still missing—something more adaptive, integrated, and complete. Then I found Pinnacle. After months of research and interviews with other Guides, I joined Pinnacle. Their tools and strategies have exceeded every expectation. Now, as a Pinnacle Business Guide, I help leadership teams implement a custom-tailored operating system that draws from the best in the industry—but flexes with your unique business. It’s a dynamic, proven approach to achieve clarity, momentum, and lasting growth. I’m no longer taking on any more 1:1 coaching clients… Instead, I now specialize in working with visionary business owners who are ready to get their leadership teams aligned—around a clear vision, a focused strategy, and an actionable execution plan. With the tools and process I now have as a Pinnacle Business Guide, I help turn alignment into momentum, and momentum into results. If your business is growing—but your leadership team isn’t fully rowing in the same direction—let’s talk.