In today’s world, chaos can often feel like a constant presence. Even in the best of times, the workplace can exist in a state of chaotic equilibrium, balancing between being highly productive and waiting for the next challenge to arise. And when it does—whether suddenly or following a prolonged period of uncertainty—that’s when leaders truly prove their worth.
Unfortunately, many leaders struggle to navigate these chaotic moments. Some adopt a “business as usual” approach, acting as if nothing has changed. They may put on a cheerful facade, trying to reassure everyone that all will be well. Others may retreat entirely, disappearing at the precise moment when their teams need guidance the most.
But what should leaders do in the face of chaos? While it’s natural to want to resolve the underlying issues, effective leadership during turbulent times hinges on communication. It’s about articulating the right messages and ensuring your team feels supported.
Let’s assume you’re working diligently behind the scenes to address the core issues causing the chaos, but solutions aren’t immediate. Your team still needs you to step up. Here’s how you can lead effectively.
When I meet with business leaders for the first time, I often hear their desire to reduce chaos within their organizations. While many leaders aim to eliminate disorder, it’s essential to recognize that there are valuable opportunities for understanding the root causes of chaos by asking the right questions. Here are ten insightful questions I recommend CEOs pose to their teams when dealing with feelings of chaos and instability.
This struggle can be particularly pronounced in smaller organizations, where the effects of turmoil may be more immediate. However, even CEOs in larger companies can find themselves facing similar challenges. By engaging in open dialogue through these questions, leaders can foster greater clarity and resilience within their organizations.
- What does the organization want to become in the future? Take the time to explore this with your team. Find out how they think about growth and the potential they see for your company.
- In what area does the company really excel? Your greatest asset when answering this question lies with your customers. Find opportunities to engage them in conversation about how they view your value. Ask them what makes you unique.
- What does the company offer that the market wants or needs? Remember, we are talking about engaging your employees in conversations that give them a sense of SURVIVE AND THRIVE control over different aspects of the company. Having them better understand why you are unique and why your customers love your products or services builds pride in your employees.
- Why do people want to work for the company? “We pay better than our competitors” is a shortsighted answer to a much more complicated question. There has to be something more than just getting a paycheck for your employees to be engaged.
- What are the company’s values? Undefined values that are not written down are simply ideas about how people should act. Your values are critical to your business. Define them. Make them easy to remember. Talk about them. Reward people when you see them practicing those values with co-workers or customers.
- What types of behaviors are encouraged? Be specific! Going the extra mile for a customer. Helping a new employee feel welcome. Improving leadership skills. Dealing with conflict in an upfront manner without letting anger create bigger issues. Being accountable. Owning up to mistakes.
- What kind of behaviors are discouraged? Again, be specific. Sending angry text or email messages back and forth. Glossing over a customer’s concern for any reason. Lack of follow through. Is gossip allowed to flourish? Is it okay for employees to show up late for meetings?
- Why is the company experiencing chaos today? When chaos is felt in an organization, it’s felt first at the front line; whatever that looks like for your company. Chaos in the grocery store at the checkout stand can be the result of not enough checkout lines available for the number of shoppers and no one to bag groceries. The cashiers will feel the chaos long before the manager, who’s in his office in the back.
- Why is it a good thing to have chaos? A little bit of chaos can keep a company focused. As in nature, chaos is critical for growth. Chaos is needed in nature and in organizations to keep us growing and developing. A leader’s main job is to help his organization walk the line between equilibrium and chaos every day. Too much equilibrium and the company will slow to a stop. Too much chaos and it can spin out of control.
- What can we do to minimize the impact that chaos has on us? Talk about it! Share what’s going on in the organization that appears on the surface as chaotic. Then, drill down to solutions that keep people from feeling uncomfortable or nervous. Allow them to think proactively of ways to address the chaos. In the early stages of growth, you have to embrace chaos because of the uncertainty going on around you. In later stages of growth, you have to look at the cause of the chaos, which could be from a lack of processes.
As a leader, it’s time to take proactive steps in shaping the future of your organization. Begin implementing these ten insightful questions during your next team meeting. Foster open discussions that encourage collaboration and understanding. Let’s empower our teams to navigate chaos and instill a sense of purpose and direction.
Managing chaos is a complex endeavor that requires careful planning, clear communication, and strong leadership. By addressing these questions, companies can better navigate the challenges of expansion and set themselves up for long-term success.
Do you want a diagnosis of how growth issues show up in your organization? We can help you identify this and other growth obstacles that may be building up in your organization through our Stages of Growth X-Ray™. In three distinct ways, we can help you prepare for the next stage of growth:
- Online assessments that are stage-specific, people can get to the heart of the strategic growth issues quickly
- Provides a language of growth that gets to the root cause of growth barriers in a short period of time
- Creates alignment around the top issues that everyone agrees must be addressed right away.
Contact us today to start on your course to business growth.