"Leadership in Chaos: Lessons from Snow Days and Pharmacy Haze"

This week, South Carolina got its second snow of the year, and let’s just say it was an event.

Roads unprepared, schools shutting down, e-learning chaos, and a general scramble to figure out how to function. Even as someone who’s lived through Chicago winters, I found myself adjusting to the challenge of driving here—where snow tires are as rare as an uneventful FDA audit.

As I watched this unfold, I realized how much snow days have in common with our work as pharmacy professionals. Whether you’re in manufacturing, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, or commercial teams, unexpected challenges are the norm. And just like navigating icy roads, the way we lead through chaos can determine whether our teams thrive—or skid off the road entirely.

Adaptation is a Leadership Superpower

Leadership in pharma isn’t about preventing chaos (good luck with that!); it’s about helping your team adapt and thrive when the unexpected happens. Here are a few examples:

Regulatory Affairs:

Your FDA submission is finally ready when—surprise!—new guidance drops. Panic could set in, but strong leaders keep their cool. Instead of lamenting the timing, you host a quick team meeting to reassign tasks and align priorities. A little clarity can cut through the chaos.

Tip: Break the work into manageable chunks and celebrate milestones (even small ones!) to keep morale high.

Manufacturing Operations:

The production line halts because of a critical equipment failure. While the financial pressure mounts, your team looks to you for guidance. The best leaders focus on solutions, not blame.

Tip: Bring together the right people—engineers, line supervisors, maintenance—and make them feel like valued problem-solvers. Adding a simple “thank you for your quick thinking” can be a game-changer for morale.

Quality Assurance:

A supplier audit reveals a major deviation, sending ripples of concern across departments. As the QA lead, you normalize the situation with calm communication and focus on solutions rather than problems.

Tip: Equip your team with a checklist for addressing audit findings. This builds confidence in their ability to handle future challenges, turning panic into preparedness.

Commercial Teams:

Your product launch faces an unforeseen regulatory hurdle in a major market. While it’s easy to focus on the missed opportunity, strong leaders use this as a moment to bring cross-functional teams together for creative problem-solving.

Tip: Use what-if scenarios regularly in your planning sessions to build a culture of agility and preparedness.

6 Practical Tips for Leading Through Chaos

1. Over-Communicate: Your team can handle challenges if they understand the situation. Share what’s happening, what’s expected, and what’s being done. Silence is the quickest way to lose trust.
2. Focus on Priorities, Not Perfection: When everything feels urgent, step back and focus on what truly matters. Help your team narrow their focus to the one or two tasks that will make the biggest impact.
3. Model Calm and Confidence: Your team takes cues from your energy. If you appear calm and composed, they’ll feel reassured and more capable of tackling the problem.
4. Encourage Humor and Lightness: Humor doesn’t diminish the seriousness of a situation; it eases the tension and builds camaraderie. A simple joke or light-hearted comment can remind your team you’re all in this together.
5. Empower Decision-Making: Chaos often paralyzes teams because they’re afraid of making the wrong move. Empower your team to make decisions, even imperfect ones. Trust their expertise and let them know you have their back.
6. Recognize Effort, Not Just Results: In times of stress, a little recognition goes a long way. Acknowledge the hard work your team is putting in, even if the situation hasn’t been resolved yet. “I see how much effort you’re giving, and it makes a difference” can be a powerful motivator.

A Leadership Challenge for You

This week, identify one area where your team is feeling the “snowstorm effect”—whether it’s a staffing shortage, a regulatory hurdle, or a looming deadline. Ask yourself:

• What can I do to simplify their workload?
• How can I bring clarity to the situation?
• What small act of recognition or humor could help lighten the mood?

Leadership isn’t about being perfect or avoiding chaos -it’s about creating a path forward when the road ahead is uncertain (and maybe a little slippery), and navigating it with confidence, humor, and grace.

Let’s Hear from You!

I’d love to hear your “snowstorm” moments. What’s one unexpected challenge your team has faced recently, and how did you lead them through it? Share your thoughts in the comments—I bet we can all learn from each other’s experiences!