Leading Through the Storm: How to Stay Steady When Life Seems Chaotic

In facility life, challenges aren’t a matter of if they are going to happen.  Rather, it is a matter of when and how you as a leader choose to respond to them.

Whether you are juggling day-to-day operations, ever-changing regulations, difficult resident days, or just sheer emotional exhaustion… I see you. I’ve been in your shoes. And if no one has told you lately—you’re doing so much better than you think.

The job is tough and sometimes it is not easy to paint that smile on your face.  But I know you.  You are a difference-maker and you do it anyway. 

But I also know how easy it is to fall into survival mode. When everything feels urgent, important, and overwhelming all at once, your days can start to feel more like fire drills than intentional leadership.

So what do you do when you don’t know how to trudge through the chaos?

You shift your perspective. You lead yourself first—so you can lead others better.

Here are a few reminders that have changed how I show up when things get hard. Maybe they’ll help you too.

Reframe the Hard Stuff

Instead of saying, “I don’t know how to…,” try reframing that thought to “If there were a way to…”

Reframing isn’t pretending things aren’t hard. It’s choosing a lens that gives you power, not pressure.

The next time a last-minute audit pops up or the licensing agency calls unannounced, try focusing on this:

“This is a chance to tighten our systems and raise the standard for our care.”

That mindset shift alone can turn panic into purpose.  Show up with purpose and intention and you’ll notice the difference. 

Return to Your “Why”

In the middle of the madness, pause and ask yourself:  “Why did I step into this work in the first place?”

You didn’t become an administrator for the paperwork. You chose this role because you care. Because you saw a need and believed you could make a difference.  And you do.

Reconnect to that mission. Your "why" is your anchor.  And be sure to celebrate the wins along the way. 

Regulate Your Energy, Not Just Your Busy Schedule

Leadership isn’t just about managing your time. It’s about managing your energy.

If you never stop to breathe, reset, or reflect, burnout creeps in fast. So give yourself micro-moments to pause—between meetings, during a walk down the hall, even for one deep breath in the break room.

One mindful moment can ground you more than a dozen reactionary decisions.

Those resets can also take place away from your workplace.  Remember, self-care isn’t selfish.  It’s essential. 

Control the Controllables.

You can’t control state regulations, power outages, or every mood of your residents and staff members in the building. But you can control your tone. Your presence. Your inner calm.

Ask yourself:
“What’s mine to manage?”
“What can I delegate or release?”

Not everything belongs on your shoulders. Lead with clarity, not control.

At the end of the day, you can’t always control what lands on your desk. But you can always choose how you rise to meet it.

The best administrators I know aren’t the ones who have it all figured out—they’re the ones who stay grounded, keep going, and lead from a place of resilience, passion, and purpose.

You’ve got that in you too.

And just in case you forgot—you’re not alone in this work. Not now. Not ever.  And as a part of UCampus Group, you’ve always got a community that has your back.

- The UCampus Group Team