When Your CEO's Leadership Creates Chaos.

The article focuses on strategies for senior leaders to effectively manage upward when a CEO’s leadership style creates organizational challenges. It outlines five approaches—managing up with intention by aligning with the CEO’s priorities, building clear agreements on communication and decision roles, amplifying external voices such as clients and investors, forming coalitions with peer leaders, and practicing strategic patience to enable gradual change. Using the example of a chief marketing officer named Alex, the article illustrates how these tactics can help mitigate negative impacts of a CEO’s difficult style while advancing organizational goals. The guidance emphasizes influencing through alignment and evidence rather than direct confrontation, aiming to sustain performance and foster long-term improvements. [Extracted from the article]