Succeeding Through Chaos - Your Future Depends On It

In every industry and every era, chaos is inevitable. Markets shift, teams change, technology disrupts, and crises—both internal and external—arise without warning. But within that disorder lies a unique opportunity: the chance not just to survive, but to thrive and succeed through the chaos.

Chaos is a Catalyst

When the ground shakes beneath us, the instinct is often to freeze, wait it out, or desperately cling to the old ways. But chaos doesn’t wait, and it rarely leaves things as it found them. It accelerates change, challenges assumptions, and forces decisions. Those who recognize chaos not as a threat but as a catalyst are the ones who rise. For years I’ve lived by the mantra that “Change is Good” and have passed that along to teams that have thrived in an everchanging environment. 

Take, for example, the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the real estate industry reeled from lockdowns and uncertainty, many operators paused their capital plans and froze leasing strategies. But some leaders pivoted fast. One property management company leaned into virtual leasing, added digital resident services, implemented flexible payment structures, and brought in local government programs to assist the residents with various needs. Their occupancy held steady while competitors lost ground—and they emerged with a stronger, more modern operation, and resident base that recognized the property management team cared for them as individuals and families.

Calm Is a Competitive Advantage

Succeeding through chaos starts with mindset. While others are spinning their wheels or reacting emotionally, leaders who stay calm and focused immediately gain an edge. Calm doesn’t mean complacent. It means composed. It means seeing clearly when others are blinded by fear or frustration.

In one example from a multifamily portfolio, an aging asset faced a double punch: a structural repair crisis and a regional economic downturn. Instead of panicking or offloading the property, the owner/operator re-centered on fundamentals. They stabilized cash flow by adding concierge-style resident services, tightened operations, and reengaged their leasing team around a unified mission. Over 18 months, they increased NOI by 39%—not in a booming market, but in one gripped by fear.

Principles Over Panic

During chaos, it’s tempting to change everything—or nothing. The key is to anchor in core principles while adapting tactics. Key questions to ask are:

• What do we know to be true?
• What do our customers/teams/communities need right now?
• What can we control—and what must we release?

This focus allows your organization to prioritize appropriately. You won’t fix everything at once, but you can make momentum-building moves, which will energize and focus your teams and allow for new successes.

One prominent CEO associate of mine described a turning point during a leadership transition: “We had to stop reacting to headlines and start listening to our people and our residents. The moment we shifted from defense to intention, we got clarity, we became focused, and we achieved results.”

Simplify and Execute

In calm times, complexity is tolerated. In chaos, it’s a killer. Complexity slows you down, muddies decisions, and drains energy. The need to simplify, creating clear vision and goals, will foster cleaner execution.

The winners are those who simplify:

• Clarify the mission.
• Streamline the plan.
• Empower the team.

Then—execute relentlessly. Even imperfect action beats perfect hesitation. Progress, even small, builds confidence and unlocks new options. No matter how good the plans are, your organization will only be as good as their ability to execute on them. Having individuals in place who can passionately move forward, bringing others with them is key.

In a distressed asset turnaround, one management team trimmed decision-making layers, assigned cross-functional “chaos pods,” and tackled high-impact issues in 48-hour sprints. Leasing velocity improved. Maintenance backlogs shrank. Culture rebounded. Business Thrived!

Build Anti-Fragile Systems

Some organizations break under pressure. Others endure. But the exceptional ones grow stronger. This concept—what author Nassim Taleb calls “anti-fragility”—is the holy grail of long-term success.

To build systems that thrive in disorder:

• Diversify income streams and resources.
• Design for flexibility, not perfection.
• Encourage adaptive thinking over rigid rules.
• Empower your team to make decisions and not fear making mistakes.
• Learn fast. Then apply even faster.

In real estate, this might mean adding non-rent revenue streams, tech-enabled resident services or partnerships with local businesses. It might also mean investing in leadership training that empowers teams to respond creatively when the unexpected hits.

Make Chaos Your Competitive Edge: Your Path to Success Starts Today!

In business and life, chaos isn’t a question of “if,” but “when.” The real question is: Who will you be in the middle of it?

Will you be the one waiting for normal to return? Or the one shaping what comes next?

Success through chaos doesn’t come from luck. It comes from vision, courage, and decisive action in uncertain times. Master those, and you won’t just survive the storm, you’ll lead others through it.

For industries such as real estate, chaos, and how you respond to it, can transform profitability and value creation. Are you ready to embrace chaos? Is your organization set up with leaders who calmly navigate the chaos and set the course for success? Do your employees embrace change or fear it? 

Today is the day to take the step towards succeeding through chaos. We can help you build a culture where navigating uncertainty by clarifying what’s important sets the tone for lasting success. Don't wait—let's create that team and environment today.

Take the first step. Reach out and let's start building a winning team together!

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