Finding Yourself Up a Disruptive CREEK? Here's How You Can Lead People through Disruption

Years ago, I was a young infantry platoon leader in the U.S. Army. At 22, most of my team members were older—some by two decades—and more experienced than me. One day, my platoon conducted a training exercise where we patrolled in "enemy territory."

At one point, the soldier in front of our patrol (a.k.a. the point person) signaled for everyone to stop. This abrupt halt disrupted our progress, breaking the established rhythm as we moved forward. The reason for the stop? A dangerous area lay ahead, suggesting that something even more disruptive could occur if we didn't handle it properly.

Via hand signals, the point person's message silently worked its way through the 39-person platoon, and everyone reacted accordingly. I then made my way to the front of the patrol to assess the situation. As platoon leader, I was expected to determine what we would do next.

Tracking down the lead soldier, I asked why we had stopped. In a low whisper, he explained that there was a large creek to our front. Creeks, roads, open fields, etc., are considered dangerous areas as they create opportunities for the enemy to attack. It's preferable to go around or avoid them altogether. If avoiding isn't viable, you try to quickly and safely traverse them. A map check revealed that going around wasn't feasible, so I signaled some soldiers to position themselves to our left and right flanks. Their job was to watch for enemy activity as their fellow soldiers crossed the creek.

A large log had fallen across the waterway, creating a makeshift bridge. I pointed to the log and said, "Let's cross there." I was confident that I had picked the best place.

We began to move.

Within a few meters of the log, the point person again signaled for us to stop. I asked why, and he told me that the log didn't look safe from his now closer perspective. Dismissing his concern, I took the point myself. Halfway across the log, it happened. My 60-pound pack shifted, I lost my balance and fell backward into the creek. I soon found myself fully submerged in nine feet of water.

I somehow managed to suffer no bodily harm and was able to exit the water with all of my equipment. Sopping wet, I crawled up the bank and looked at the point person who had yet to step onto the log. I can still see the well-deserved smirk on his face all these years later. It took a while to dry off, a little longer to regain my pride, and several weeks for the story to dissipate—but it was worth it.

What I learned that day has stuck with me throughout my entire career, especially when leading through times of disruption. Whether serving as a company commander in the Army, building a business, or leading a department at Vanderbilt, the lesson is clear: Leadership during disruption requires flexibility, humility, and listening to those around you. Dismissing concerns or feedback because of your rank or role only sets you up for failure.

Leading through disruption demands a mindset shift. It's no longer about sticking to the old playbook or relying solely on authority to guide the team forward. Disruption creates uncertainty; in those moments, the most successful leaders lean on their people, adapt quickly, and maintain perspective.

Over the years, I've seen five essential leadership principles emerge, especially during disruption. I've summarized them using the acrostic?C-R-E-E-K:

Check your ego:

During disruptive times, leaders often feel pressured to have all the answers or solve everything themselves. However, leading successfully means shifting from "me" to "we." Disruptions are team challenges, and collective insight is far more valuable than individual heroics.

Remain fair and consistent:

Disruption can cause chaos, but leaders must remain fair and consistent in their decisions. Trust erodes quickly when leaders apply rules unevenly or change their stance in response to pressure. Maintaining fairness builds confidence and credibility, especially in challenging times.

Earn respect:

Disruption exposes weaknesses in leaders. People may do what you ask because of your title, but real commitment is earned through respect. Leaders earn that respect by listening, involving their team, and being transparent in times of uncertainty. Flexing your authority will get compliance, but respect fuels resilience.

Engage people:

Disruption demands that leaders tap into their teams' collective wisdom. Leaders who engage their people in decision-making foster buy-in and uncover better solutions. Whether by asking questions or seeking advice, involving others helps navigate ambiguity.

Keep things in perspective:

Disruptions can be overwhelming—leaders who can pause, clarify, and focus on what matters avoid getting lost in the noise. Differentiating between urgent and important is crucial in leading through difficult times.

The lesson from my log incident taught me that leadership in disruptive times requires more than quick decisions and command authority. It requires humility, engaging others, and keeping a clear perspective. Whether you're dealing with small shifts or significant upheavals, the principles that helped me as a young platoon leader are the same ones that apply in leading teams through today's unpredictable world.

In times of disruption, you'll inevitably fall off the log. But the key is to dry off, reassess, and move forward with the wisdom gained. I've done that throughout my career, and it's made all the difference.

Make it a great day!

Patrick

P.S. Over the past two years, I’ve led The Disruption Project at Vanderbilt University . I speak to companies and organizations about how to discern the right actions in the face of disruption, helping people?profit from disruption, deal effectively with the unexpected, and lead better lives by managing disruption—rather than letting it manage them.?To learn more, reach out to Canesha Appleton or Michele Lucia .