Thrive Despite Chaos
Thrive Despite Chaos
Sep 28
As a solopreneur, we can clearly see chaos outside out window, we see it in others. It couldn’t possibly be us. Well, sometimes we are the chaos…and we just have to admit. It is our company, it’s our vision we painstakingly spent months refining, and if we shift left, shift right - who is it impacting? We’re solopreneurs – it only impacts us. Wrong.
Our title is Solopreneur, but we are never working alone. We have a network of people we work with, our vendors, our clients, and at times, our family.
If we don’t manage the chaos, the chaos will manage us. Here’s a great article on “How To Thrive When Leaders Create Chaos In The Workplace” by Chris Westfall (Forbes). This article has been adapted with insights and actions for solopreneurs.
Core premise
Westfall argues that chaos in leadership, whether caused by sudden restructuring, shifting priorities, or reactive decision-making, can disrupt employees’ sensemaking and stability. Yet individuals can not only survive such chaos but thrive — if they adopt certain mindsets and strategies. (Forbes)
For solopreneurs, the lessons still apply: even if you are your own “leader,” consistency, decision clarity, and nimbleness will buffer against chaos in the market, clients, or operations.
Key challenges under chaotic leadership, translated for a solopreneur like you.
While Westfall’s article focuses on internal organizations with teams, many of the challenges also resonate with solo founders:
Disrupted sensemaking — rapid changes make it hard to interpret what’s expected, what strategy to follow, or which priorities to choose. (Forbes)
Emotional turbulence — uncertainty from erratic decision-making can trigger stress, confusion, and defensiveness. (Forbes)
Leadership inconsistency — when leaders oscillate in direction, communication, or trust, people feel destabilized. (Forbes)
For a solopreneur, chaos may come from external forces (market shifts, client behavior, platform changes, ever changing technology) or internal inconsistency (you change your priorities often, reactively shift focus). When you have a network of people that are partners, your small, indecisive ripple can cause a tidal wave of confusion for others.
Ways to thrive amid chaos — with solopreneur adaptations
Westfall provides guidance on how to respond rather than be overwhelmed. Below are his principles with my commentary on how to adjust for the solopreneur.
Anchor in clarity & focus
Maintain clarity of purpose, values, and priorities so that you can filter meaning from chaos. (Forbes)
Define your “north star” metrics, purpose, or mission (e.g., revenue target, ideal client impact). In chaotic moments, let those guide which opportunities you accept or reject. Print this out and read it every day. Make sure every action you are taking aligns with this north star - otherwise, don’t do it.
Communicate proactively
Even when leadership is erratic, communicate your own plans, constraints, and expectations to stakeholders. (Forbes)
With clients, collaborators, and vendors, over-communicate (this doesn’t mean louder) when things shift. In today’s world of communication, make sure to leverage all the tools in your toolkit: Insta, email, text, etc. People have so much coming at them – don’t assume one message is enough. Let them know your timelines, changes, and what they can expect from you. Reduce hesitation, have a plan, communicate it clearly, and execute it quickly. Remember tone matters – so make sure you communicate with clarity, kindness, and empathy.
Operate with agency, not reactivity
Instead of being buffeted by decisions from external factors, choose small actions you control and respond deliberately. (Forbes)
In your business, pick 1–2 levers you can control (e.g., lead generation, offer clarity) and act on them consistently, rather than chasing every new trend or distraction. This is hard in the era of AI. There is a lot of competition out there – remember who you are, what makes you unique. If you don’t know, reach out to Lisa Tsuchiya for a Clifton Strengths convo! Always go back to your north star. Stop shiny object shifting.
Build margin and flexibility
Allow space — time, psychological margin, slack — so you can absorb shocks without breaking. (Forbes)
Don’t overbook your calendar. Leave buffer time for emergencies. Maintain a financial cushion so you can weather slow periods or client loss. Talk to a financial planner (BoldLEAP Collective has some amazing people) and figure out how to manage the bounce and the bounce back.
Stabilize around routines & rhythms
In uncertain times, routines create relative stability: consistent processes, check-ins, and reflections. (Forbes)
Set ritual habits: weekly planning, daily review, check-ins with accountability partners. These anchor your internal system when external systems wobble. Join a session to stay on track.
Embrace sensemaking and interpretation
Because chaos obscures meaning, be deliberate about interpreting changes — gather data, ask questions, don’t default to fear. (Forbes)
When a client drops off or the platform algorithm shifts, treat it as data: what changed? What are possible explanations? Use hypotheses and test responses. Slow your brain. Breathe. Then make the next best decision for your business (again, what’s your north star?)
Lead with composure and calm
In chaotic contexts, people (or clients) look for signs of composure. Responding with panic amplifies instability. (Forbes)
Be the model of calm for everyone around you—those you work with, collaborate with, and support. If you're calm and clear, clients trust you more in storms. Pause (breathe) before reacting; choose your message carefully. You are your brand.
Warnings/caveats & mindset shifts
Thriving in chaos doesn’t mean denying stress. It means acknowledging fear, uncertainty, and ambiguity — but not being ruled by them.
The ability to thrive is not about controlling every outcome; it’s about strengthening your interior capacity (resilience, clarity, judgment) so you can navigate with more agency.
Consistency matters: repeated small, disciplined actions outperform frantic bursts of “crisis mode.”
About Charissa
Charissa Gant, Change Strategist with over 30 years of experience driving change for Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, a Principal Director at one of the largest consulting firms. Leading change with empathy. Unlocking leadership potential. Owner and Founder of BoldLEAP Collective, a community for courageous solopreneurs. Charissa@boldleapcollective.com