Daryl Black: How Do You Lead When Chaos Hits?

In the midst of a tornado-ravaged campground in central Alberta back in 2000, Daryl Black faced a scene of utter devastation: helicopters whirring, sirens blaring, and debris scattered across a once-peaceful site. As a volunteer search and rescue leader, he took a deep breath, surveyed the chaos, and got to work. Little did he know, this experience would shape his approach to leadership, revealing striking parallels between managing natural disasters and scaling high-growth businesses. Today, as an emergency management expert and leadership coach, Daryl shares his "Order to Chaos" framework, helping entrepreneurs and executives navigate uncertainty. Whether you're a young professional launching your first startup, a mid-career switcher pivoting into tech, or a first-generation entrepreneur building from scratch, these insights can transform how you lead through chaos in business.

The Parallels Between Emergencies and Scaling a Business

Daryl's career spans decades in emergency management—handling floods, wildfires, and evacuations—while simultaneously managing multimillion-dollar IT projects for Canada's largest telecommunications company. He noticed uncanny similarities: incomplete information, high stress, rapid decision-making, and resource shortages. "A lot of the information that you're relying on just isn't simply there or it's inaccurate very much like in a high growth industry or company," Daryl explains.

In emergencies, teams bootstrap under pressure, much like startups "building the plane as you're flying it." As businesses scale, leaders shift from hands-on tasks to people management, a transition Daryl sees as pivotal. For diverse entrepreneurs, this might mean moving from coding AI tools to leading global teams, where cultural differences add layers of complexity. Studies show effective leadership in crisis relies on adaptability and clear communication, enabling resilience in turbulent times.

 Reflect: In your own venture, how often do unknowns derail your plans? Recognizing these parallels is the first step to leading through chaos.

Discovering the Order to Chaos Framework

Through trial and error— what Daryl calls "scar tissue learning"—he developed the Order to Chaos framework, emphasizing minimal viable effort for maximum impact. This approach works in high-stakes environments where time is scarce, whether evacuating 300 people across a wide river or launching a product amid market volatility.

The framework boils down to three pillars: self-mastery, productivity, and influencing others. It's designed for quick implementation, avoiding lengthy team-building exercises. As Daryl notes, "It had to be what I call follow the minimal viable effort kind of model." This resonates with underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship, who often juggle multiple roles without extensive resources.

The Three Pillars of Leading Through Chaos

• Pillar 1: Self-Mastery

Leadership starts within. Daryl emphasizes managing personal stress, sleep, and decision-making to set a positive tone. "How a team interacts with me actually isn't a reflection of them, it's a reflection of me," he says. For mid-career switchers entering entrepreneurship, this means building emotional resilience to handle pivots without burnout.Research from Harvard Business Review highlights that crisis leaders succeed by staying calm and empathetic, fostering trust.

 Challenge yourself: Track your stress triggers this week and practice deep breathing during tough moments.

• Pillar 2: Supercharged Productivity

In chaos, knocking out tasks efficiently is key. Daryl advocates for flow states, time fencing, and checklists to maintain momentum. This pillar addresses the "ebb and flow" of incidents, mirroring business growth phases where capacity lags behind demand.For global entrepreneurs, adapting these tools to remote work ensures teams stay aligned across time zones. A study on crisis leadership underscores decisive actions as crucial for organizational recovery.

• Pillar 3: Influencing Others at Scale

As leaders rise, direct influence wanes, requiring strategies for culture-building and commitment over compliance. Daryl focuses on leaders of leaders, teaching how to communicate vision through concentric circles of teams.This is vital for diversity and inclusion, ensuring varied voices are heard. "For us to really get to that point where we're influencing others and we're affecting change on scale, we have to get our own shit together," Daryl candidly shares.

Building High-Performing Autonomous Teams: A 5-Step Process

Daryl's team-building method, honed on wildfire fronts, creates autonomy quickly. Here's the breakdown:

1. Set the Stage: Use metaphors like "ships don't sink because of the water around them" to emphasize internal cohesion.

2. Define Roles and Responsibilities: Go beyond job descriptions to clarify decision parameters and communication flows.

3. Apply the 1-3-1 Method: Team members present one problem, three options, and one recommendation, building ownership.

4. Foster Buy-In: Encourage involvement to shift from compliance to commitment.

5. Shift to Chain of Support: Move from command to support, freeing leaders for strategic focus.

   
   

This process attracts and retains talent, allowing high performers to thrive while addressing underperformers. In a recent evacuation, Daryl used it to coordinate strangers effectively. For aspiring entrepreneurs, imagine applying this to your remote team—how might it reduce micromanagement?

FAQ: Common Questions on Crisis Leadership

How Can Leaders Transition from Technical Expertise to People Management?

Many get promoted for skills but struggle with people. Daryl advises focusing on values alignment and active listening to bridge the gap.

What Role Does Productivity Play in Crisis Management?

It prevents overwhelm, allowing focus on long-term vision. Tools like time blocking help, as supported by crisis studies emphasizing resilience.

How Do You Build Team Morale in Chaos?

Through respect, fun, and support. Daryl's support model ensures everyone feels valued, boosting retention.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Daryl Black's insights reveal that leading through chaos in business mirrors emergency response: prioritize self-mastery, amp up productivity, and master influence. By adopting the Order to Chaos framework, you can turn turmoil into opportunity, whether scaling a startup or navigating market shifts.

Ready to apply this? Try the 1-3-1 method in your next team meeting and share your results.