November 22, 2025, Charlotte International Airport.
I noticed the sign: “Calm The Chaos“.
I said: “That’s interesting… I see no chaos at all… whatever the airport is doing — to Calm The Chaos — is working!“
So, I got curious… I observed… whilst waiting for my son’s arrival — he is coming home from Delaware to Charlotte, NC, for Thanksgiving with the fam.
What I have observed… I can relate it — the “Principle” of “Calm the Chaos” — to the Portfolio and Mental Models!
“Calm The Chaos” vis-a-vis Mental Models and LPM (Lean Portfolio Management).
“Calm The Chaos” is a mindset… not a reaction.
Chaos happens in portfolio when:
- Too many initiatives start at once
- Priorities shift every week
- Capacity is unknown
- Work is invisible
- Decisions rely on gut feel, not shared strategy and vision
Mental Models are the invisible rules we use to interpret chaos.
To be continued…
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