When Your CEO Creates Chaos: 5 Strategies to Lead with Clarity
IMPACTFUL Teamwork · Oct 6, 2025 · 22:28
IMPACTFUL Teamwork · Oct 6, 2025 · 22:28
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In this episode of the Impactful Teamwork podcast, Julia Felton explores how to deal with chaotic leadership that creates disruption rather than clarity. Drawing from her coaching experience and research by McKinsey and Gallup, Julia discusses the negative ripple effects a chaotic CEO can have on an organisation, including stifled innovation, lack of trust, and a toxic culture.
She presents five strategies to manage and mitigate these effects: manage up with intention, build agreements on communication and roles, amplify external voices, form a coalition with peers, and practice strategic patience.
Julia uses analogies from nature and horse herds to illustrate these strategies and brings actionable insights for team members and departmental heads facing chaotic leadership. The episode concludes with an invitation to diagnose team performance through the 'Turbocharge Your Team' quiz.
00:00 Introduction to Chaotic Leadership
01:52 The Impact of a Chaotic Leader
03:16 Research Insights on Leadership Effectiveness
04:57 Strategies to Manage a Chaotic Leader
05:15 Scenario: Navigating Chaos as Susan
06:29 Strategy 1: Manage Up with Intention
09:47 Strategy 2: Build Agreements on Communication and Roles
11:54 Strategy 3: Amplify External Voices
14:33 Strategy 4: Form a Coalition with Peers
16:59 Strategy 5: Practice Strategic Patience
19:05 Conclusion and Reflection
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Take the IMPACTFUL Teamwork Quiz to assess your team's communication, creativity culture, goal clarity, and conflict resolution skills!
