When Your CEO Creates Chaos: 5 Strategies to Lead with Clarity

Episode 79

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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