Leading Through Chaos: How Great Leaders Thrive in Uncertainty

Leadership isn’t tested during calm waters—it’s forged in the storm. I learned that the hard way when I stepped into the role of Food and Beverage Director at a private club in the middle of the COVID pandemic. We had no staff. No business. Members were disengaged, uncertain if the club could continue to meet their needs. Chaos wasn’t theoretical—it was the daily reality.

But what that experience taught me is this: great leadership doesn’t require all the answers. It requires steadiness, clarity, and the ability to help people believe in what’s possible—even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

Calm Is Contagious

In those first few weeks, panic would’ve been an easy default. Every day brought new challenges—health mandates, budget cuts, operational halts. But I made a conscious decision to show up composed, even when I was figuring things out as I went. That steadiness became something my team and members could anchor to. When leaders model calm, it ripples outward.

Clarity Over Certainty

There was no playbook for what we were facing. I couldn’t promise when things would return to normal, but I could be honest about what I knew, what I didn’t, and what I was working on. That level of transparency built trust—with my team, with members, and with vendors who were just as uncertain. People don't need perfection—they need perspective.

People First, Always

Before I worried about revenue or events, I focused on people. I reached out to furloughed team members, checked in on their well-being, and started rebuilding a staff that believed in what we were doing. I listened to members. I asked what they missed most and how we could adapt. We created safe, small-scale events to keep the spirit of the club alive until we could go bigger again.

Control What You Can

We couldn’t change the pandemic, but we could control how we showed up. I worked with my team to design new social programming and gradually reopened with safety, creativity, and a sense of optimism. We prioritized outdoor dining, reimagined event spaces, and leaned into member feedback. When the time was right, we brought events business back—and better than before.

Debrief the Storm

When things finally stabilized, I didn’t just breathe a sigh of relief and move on. I took the time to reflect with my team. What had worked? Where did we surprise ourselves? What would we do differently next time? That debrief became a blueprint not just for recovery—but for growth.

Final Thought

Leadership in chaos isn’t about control. It’s about clarity. It’s about showing up when it’s hardest, listening when it’s loudest, and keeping your hands steady on the wheel—so others can find their footing too.