Virtual Lab: Leading through Chaos

Leading through Chaos

Chaos, uncertainty, rapid change—none of it is going away. Leaders don’t need more pressure; they need better tools to make sense of what’s happening around them and to show up with confidence even when things feel unsettled.

This session introduces the basics of living systems theory in a way that’s practical and accessible. We’ll look at why people (and teams) behave the way they do under stress, how our own patterns of behavior shape our team's culture, and what leaders can do to stay grounded and thoughtful when emotions run high.

In this lab you will:

• Learn how to recognize their own stress patterns and those of the people around them
• Understand why teams fall into cycles of reactivity and what to do about it
• Learn how to slow down, get perspective, and make clearer decisions in chaotic moments
• Learn Simple tools to help release some of the living systems anxiety and move forward together
• Grasp ways to lead themselves first so they can better lead others

Tickets:
Free Professional, Executive & CI Gratis members
$45 General & Young Professional members  
$60 Inforum guests (non-members) 

Thank you to our facilitator: 

Meredith Nieuwsma is an executive, personal, and professional coach who helps leaders and organizations navigate complexity with clarity and courage. She is the founder of Cygnus Services, where she
specializes in coaching women in maledominated industries, leaders with highfunctioning ADHD or other forms of neurodiversity, and individuals and teams moving through transition. With more than 15 years of experience and over 200 leaders coached through year-long and multi-year engagements, Meredith has partnered with organizations across manufacturing, engineering, tech, education, government, and nonprofit sectors. For more than a decade, she facilitated year-long leadership development programs for upper and executive leaders—guiding them to deepen self-awareness, build strong teams, and lead more effectively through uncertainty and change.

Her coaching integrates living-systems theory, behavioral science, and deep experience walking alongside leaders through organizational restructuring, rapid growth, culture shifts, and personal crossroads. Meredith is known for her grounded, relational style, her ability to make complex concepts accessible, and her gift for helping people see the patterns that shape their choices—especially in times of stress and uncertainty.

Today, she partners with organizations and individuals who want to lead with steadiness, curiosity, and intention—even in chaotic environments. Meredith lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her teenage daughter and their pets. She volunteers to help rehabilitate mistreated and abandoned pets so they can be adopted, and her home is often a temporary landing place for animals learning to trust people again. Outside of work, she loves being outdoors—hiking, exploring nature, and taking photos. These personal passions inform her coaching: a belief in resilience, the power of a steady, calm presence, and the possibility of growth even during times of difficulty.

About Inforum Virtual Labs
Inforum Virtual Labs are online, interactive and skills-based events that bring real-world perspective from a practitioner with deep expertise in a particular field or subject. The labs are designed with top-notch instruction, and selected to complement leadership development at different stages of careers. Participants will walk away with new information and a concrete personal action plan that carries the learning into workplace practice.