Living in a Mess: Home Reno Leadership Lessons
I don’t do well with mess. In fact, I’m one of those people who thrive on order and structure, (yes, I’m one of those people). But right now, my house is a total disaster. We're in the middle of a massive painting project at home, and since I live in a 4-level split, chaos is spreading like wildfire. Some walls are getting fresh coats of paint, others are getting mudded and taped, and in between all that, there’s dust, drop cloths, and the lingering sense of “incomplete-ness”. And let me tell you, it's testing me in ways I didn’t know were possible.
While the finished walls are stunning (seriously, the color is amazing), the mess is almost unbearable. I know this is temporary, but living in it every day has been a humbling experience. The fact that this mess is pushing me out of my comfort zone has turned into a fascinating mirror for my leadership journey. Let me share a few lessons I’m learning through the mess, and, yes, there are plenty of lessons to unpack here.
1. Transformation Happens in the Mess
I’ll be honest: my first instinct when confronted with this mess is to hide. So, I’ve taken refuge in my office (it’s my sanctuary). I know the chaos is temporary, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t testing my patience. And this is where the leadership lesson hits me: transformation doesn’t happen in pristine, polished environments. It happens in the mess, in the unpredictable, in the uncomfortable.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Leaders are often faced with a mess, whether it’s a tough project, a difficult team dynamic, or a crisis. And it’s easy to wish it would just go away, or for everything to be perfect. But the truth is, you won’t grow or transform by avoiding the mess. You’ll grow by facing it head-on. The mess forces you to innovate, problem-solve, and adjust. It's like the old saying goes: you can’t build something great without getting your hands dirty.
If we always stay in our comfort zone, we miss the opportunity to evolve. Just like this paint job, leadership requires a little "mudding and taping" before things can really shine. The mess is necessary. So, I’m leaning into it. And while I hide in my office, I’m also wondering: What are better ways to lean into discomfort when leading a team through uncertain times?
2. Patience is the Uncelebrated Superpower
Let me tell you, nothing tests your patience quite like living in a half-painted house. It’s a slow process. Walls need mudding, then taping, then drying, then the SANDING (dust absolutely everywhere!) and only then can they be painted. It’s like a never-ending cycle, and it takes time.
As frustrating as it is, this process has reminded me that patience is an essential leadership skill, one that doesn’t get enough airtime. As leaders, we’re often expected to drive results immediately, to fix problems on the fly. But real leadership? It’s about understanding that change, growth, and transformation take time. It’s not about rushing the process; it’s about showing up consistently, doing the work, and trusting the process.
What I’m learning is that patience doesn’t mean passive waiting, it means active endurance. It means sticking with the hard work even when you don’t see immediate results. The walls may be half-finished right now, but in time, they’ll be amazing. And in the same way, patience in leadership lets you create lasting, meaningful change. So I ask myself: How can I better embody patience when things aren’t moving as quickly as I’d like?
3. Perspective is Everything
In the middle of this chaos, I can’t help but focus on the mess. Dust everywhere, tools scattered around, unfinished walls. It’s easy to get lost in the chaos and forget the bigger picture. But when I step back and look at the walls that are already painted, I see a beautiful transformation in progress. It’s a mess, yes, but it’s a necessary mess, and soon enough, it will all come together.
This brings me to another leadership lesson: perspective is everything. As leaders, we’re often in the middle of chaos, whether it’s juggling multiple priorities or managing a team through a turbulent time. In those moments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But the key is to shift our focus from the mess to the end goal. We need to remind ourselves that the discomfort is temporary and that the transformation is worth it.
Perspective doesn’t only help us survive the mess, it helps us lead through it. When I’m feeling overwhelmed by the disorder, I try to remind myself: there’s a beautiful result waiting on the other side. In leadership, the mess is part of the process of transformation. What’s your strategy for shifting your perspective during tough times?
Tips for Leading Through Chaos:
Find Your Sanctuary
Just like I’m hiding in my office to escape the mess, you need to find your "quiet place"—a mental or physical space where you can regroup and recharge. This helps us show up as our best selves when the chaos feels overwhelming.Celebrate the Small Wins
While the house is still far from complete, every finished wall is a step closer to the final product. As leaders, we need to celebrate the small victories in the process, not solely the end result. Acknowledge the progress, no matter how small.Be Kind to Yourself
Living in a mess can feel like failure, but it’s not. It’s part of the process. Leaders, be kind to yourself when things aren’t going the way you’d like. Remember, it’s temporary, and we’re doing our best. Let’s give ourselves some grace.
Questions for Reflection:
When faced with a chaotic or uncomfortable situation, do you lean into the mess or avoid it?
How do you practice patience when the work feels never-ending?
How do you shift your perspective when you're overwhelmed by the challenges in front of you?
What small wins can you celebrate today, even if the big picture still feels out of reach?
In the end, this experience of living in a mess has become one of the best leadership lessons I could ask for. It’s testing my patience, forcing me to embrace discomfort, and helping me realize that perspective is everything. It’s messy, yes, but that’s exactly what needs to happen. And who knows? Maybe my next leadership lesson will come from tackling the clutter in my kitchen drawers!.
What mess are you willing to dive into today?