88: Ops Leaders, Are You Ready to Lead Through the Chaos?

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/88.

Some days it feels like you’re spinning plates on a windy day, and everyone’s counting on you to keep things from crashing.

Whether your job title says “operations” or you’re just the person who quietly keeps the ship running, you know what it’s like to juggle all the moving parts, shifting priorities, and constant surprises. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay steady when everything around you is shifting, you’re in the right place.  I’ve spent years coaching operations executives and other steady-hands-in-the-storm, people who are great at keeping things moving, even when the wind picks up. 

Good news is: There are practical ways to get a little steadier, make decisions with more confidence, and build trust with your team, even when things are messy. Stick around, because I’ve got something special to share that might just make your week. 

Transcript

Some days it feels like you’re spinning plates on a windy day, and everyone’s counting on you to keep things from crashing.

Whether your job title says “operations” or you’re just the person who quietly keeps the ship running, you know what it’s like to juggle all the moving parts, shifting priorities, and constant surprises. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay steady when everything around you is shifting, you’re in the right place.  I’ve spent years coaching operations executives and other steady-hands-in-the-storm, people who are great at keeping things moving, even when the wind picks up. 

Good news is: There are practical ways to get a little steadier, make decisions with more confidence, and build trust with your team, even when things are messy. Stick around, because I’ve got something special to share that might just make your week. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/88.

How Ops Leaders Can Stay Steady in the Storm

Hey, if you’re leading operations, you know what it’s like to keep the plates spinning while the wind picks up.

I see it every week with the leaders and teams I coach: smart, capable people who still get caught up in overthinking, firefighting, and trying to make the “right” call when everything is changing.

Honestly, some days I feel like I’m just trying to keep my head above water, too.

Here’s what I’ve learned: nobody has all the answers, and you don’t need to.

I’m not here to give you a script or a magic formula; just some structure, a few good questions, and a little nudge to help you find your own best thinking. I trust that you have what it takes to navigate all this chaos, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

Here’s the thing: avoiding decisions doesn’t make things easier. It just clogs up your day, slows down your team, and piles on the stress. In operations, sometimes hesitation is the only guaranteed failure.

The leaders who get noticed and trusted aren’t the ones waiting for perfect clarity. They’re the ones willing to make a call, get feedback, and adjust as they go. That’s how you build momentum, keep your team moving, and actually get better at making decisions over time.

A Real-World Example of Decisive Leadership in Operations

Here’s a quick example: I once worked with someone who agonized over every process change. She’d wait for all the data and buy-in, and by the time she was ready, the opportunity had passed.

When she started making smaller decisions faster, knowing she could always adjust, her team got more done, felt more confident, and actually started bringing her better ideas. She stopped firefighting and started leading.

Here’s something I wish more ops leaders heard: You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just keep showing up, keep learning, and keep moving forward, even when it’s messy.

Join the 5-Day Challenge: Lead Through Disruption with Confidence

If you’re wondering how to actually do this, I’ve put together a 5-day experience for ops leaders, or anyone who wants to move from simply feeling like you’re surviving chaos to leading through it.

Here’s how it works: Each day for five days, you’ll get an email with a link to a short episode (about 6 minutes) and a practical challenge that you can do in 15 minutes or less. We’ll cover how to:

• Build trust when everything’s shifting
• Cut through indecision without burning out
• Own your leadership brand during change
• Prioritize what truly matters (and let go of the rest)
• Set boundaries that protect your effectiveness

You don’t need to do it perfectly. You don’t need to do it all. Just show up each day as best you can. If you catch yourself overthinking, just notice it, shake it off, and keep moving. That’s the discipline that matters.

No magic wands or superhero capes required. Just you, your focus, and 15 minutes a day.

If you’re ready to be more decisive and guide your team through disruption, I’d love for you to join me. Sign up for the 5-day challenge at yourfuturerealized.com/challenge. 

I’ll be here when you’re ready for something different. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.