Sheridan Hall, founder of Operation Hired, offers thoughtful and practical advice on thriving in startup chaos.
Sheridan Hall on Thriving in Startup Chaos
This is a thoughtful and practical guest post by By Sheridan Hall, founder Operation Hired on an important topic: how to survive and thrive in startup chaos.
Introduction
After years in large corporations, I co-founded a startup and learned firsthand how to thrive in chaos. In big companies, stability and resources are a given; in a startup, they’re luxuries. The shift is dramatic—suddenly, you’re building from scratch without the safety net of a strong brand.
Startups are like roller coasters—cheap analogy, but true. Ups, downs, sudden turns. Some people crave the steady ride; others live for the thrill. While the ride isn’t physical, the mental twists are real: rapid growth, market uncertainty, limited resources, and
unpredictable outcomes.
1. Embracing Ambiguity
Ambiguity is inevitable. At a startup, you’re finding your way—trying new ideas quickly, taking risks that may pay off big or not at all. Fewer layers of decision-making mean you can act fast, but the idea you start with will evolve. You learn what works and what doesn’t.
Coping with constant pivots can be tough. You get into a groove, then everything changes. Take a deep breath. Remember: mistakes are learning moments. Keep the bigger picture in mind—the end goal makes the chaos worth it.
2. Prioritization Under Pressure
Priorities shift fast: a new client needs something different, a product idea takes a new direction, or feedback forces a rethink. One tool that saved me? A strong CRM system.
It takes effort to set up and master, but once running, it automates tasks, tracks actions, and keeps you organized—a true game changer.
3. Building Resilience
Startup life can be exhausting. I keep the bigger picture in mind—knowing the effort will pay off. Each uncomfortable task, like early sales calls, becomes a growth moment.
Resilience comes from focusing on the long-term goal and celebrating progress along the way.
4. Turning Chaos into Opportunity
Chaos creates opportunity. Celebrate small wins—they fuel momentum. Over time, you’ll look back at the skills you’ve gained and the progress you’ve made. Those wins, big and small, become motivation to keep going.
5. Communication is Key
Finally, none of this works without communication. Ideas will clash, priorities will shift, and ambiguity will test your team. Open, effective communication keeps progress moving. Express your point of view, listen to others, and over-communicate progress. Regular check-ins and easy-to-use channels prevent misalignment and keep everyone rowing in the same direction.
How to Survive Startup Chaos
Turning chaos into momentum is a choice. I’ve lived it—moving from big, structured environments to co-founding a startup forced me to embrace ambiguity, prioritize under pressure, and communicate relentlessly. The roller coaster doesn’t slow down, but you do learn to steer. If this resonated and you’re navigating similar turbulence—CRM selection, go-to-market pivots, or building resilient habits—let’s connect. I’m Sheridan Hall, Co-Founder at Operation Hired, and I help founders and teams translate chaos into traction. Reach me at sheridan@operationhired.com or visit operationhired.com.
About Sheridan Hall
Sheridan Hall brings over 25 years of expertise in talent acquisition across both global enterprises and fast-growing startups. Based in Silicon Valley, Sheridan has played pivotal roles in building and leading recruiting teams at top-tier companies including Google, Yahoo, Apple, Facebook, Whole Foods Corporate, Amazon, Intuit, and Nike. Sheridan’s recruiting portfolio spans a wide range of roles—from entry-level to executive positions—across both technical and non-technical functions. Beyond sourcing and hiring, Sheridan has delivered interview training seminars, guided hiring teams in developing structured interview processes, and partnered with HR to enhance candidate experience strategies.
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Image Credits
- “Roller Coaster” licensed from 123RF 123rf.com/profile_chaloemphan
- “Hairball” licensed from 123RF 123rf.com/profile_vdat85