Leadership Lessons From Disaster to Boardroom with Daryl Black

Turning Chaos Into Clarity Daryl shares how his volunteer search and rescue work during a devastating tornado in Alberta shaped his philosophy on leadership. What he witnessed in those chaotic moments pushed him to create systems for handling emergencies—not just in public safety, but also inside corporate boardrooms. Michael recalls his own experience with Hurricane Andrew in Florida, highlighting how disasters force us to rethink routines, resilience, and the way we lead through disruption.

Productivity Meets Humanity Too often, workplaces focus on efficiency while stripping away connection. Michael and Daryl unpack why this doesn’t work. Daryl draws from his coaching experience to show how empathy and vulnerability make leaders more effective, while Michael connects it back to employee well-being, stress management, and retention. Together, they stress that leadership is most powerful when it balances results with human connection.

Transforming Toxicity Into Trust Michael shares his story of stepping into a healthcare organization with an 86% turnover rate. Within a year, by listening, implementing overdue changes, and fostering collaboration, turnover dropped to 6%. The lesson? Empathy and support aren’t “soft skills”—they’re leadership essentials. Just like a great coach who believes in their team, leaders can rebuild broken cultures by showing they care.

Fundamentals Don’t Change, Scale Does Daryl reminds us that whether you’re leading 10 people or 10,000, the core challenges stay the same. Leadership is about people—and people are complex. His “order to chaos” framework emphasizes self-mastery, productivity, and intentional leadership. He explains how influence works like concentric circles: the larger the organization, the more intentional leaders must be with communication and culture.

Adaptability Creates Team Success Great leaders flex. Daryl underscores the importance of listening and adjusting when introducing new systems. Michael reinforces this point with his healthcare experience—leaders who adapt to different personalities and communication styles build trust and reduce turnover. The message is clear: adaptability and intentionality are non-negotiable in leadership today.

Collaboration for Better Decisions Michael highlights why leaders must include frontline voices when rolling out new tools or strategies, or risk creating disconnects. Daryl introduces his practical “1-3-1” tactic: identify the problem, offer three options, and present one recommendation. This simple structure accelerates decision-making and keeps teams aligned.

The 1-3-1 Framework in Action Daryl breaks down how the 1-3-1 framework reduces cognitive overload for leaders while strengthening accountability. Though it feels clunky at first, it quickly becomes second nature. He even shares his Executive Assistant playbook and resources for leaders ready to try it—just DM him the word "TeamMichael” on LinkedIn or Instagram to get started.

Resources and Balance The episode closes with resource-sharing and gratitude. Michael and Daryl encourage leaders to take advantage of these tools and remind listeners that leadership isn’t about doing it all alone. Balance, intentionality, and shared wisdom are what truly move organizations forward.

 

🎙️ Bringing Order to Chaos: Battle-Tested Leadership with Daryl D. Black | The Breakfast Leadership Show

What if the chaos you’re facing at work isn’t the problem, but the invitation?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Daryl D. Black, a globally respected crisis leadership expert with over 35 years of experience leading teams through life-or-death scenarios—including Hurricane Katrina, wildfires, and multi-million-dollar IT projects for Fortune 500s.

Daryl’s no stranger to pressure. He’s built and led elite teams in the face of overwhelming complexity. Today, he shares the same field-tested leadership frameworks that are transforming micromanaging executives into visionary leaders—even in today’s fast-paced, uncertain environments.

🔹 We unpack why smart directors make terrible decisions under pressure—and how to change that. 🔹 The real reason your A-players are leaving, and the unexpected retention strategy that actually works. 🔹 How to build autonomous, high-performing teams without sacrificing innovation or oversight. 🔹 Why conventional leadership advice fails during rapid growth—and what to do instead. 🔹 Daryl’s signature “Order to Chaos” framework that brings calm, clarity, and momentum to scaling organizations.

Whether you’re a founder, director, or senior leader stuck in micromanagement or navigating chaotic growth—you’ll walk away with practical tools to lead with confidence, empower your people, and transform pressure into performance.

🌟 About Daryl D. Black: