274: The 6 Levels of Control That Signal Team Failure | Kevin Black
Release Date:
January 27, 2026
Release Date: Jan 27
Chaos isn't just survival—it's an opportunity.
In this electrifying episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi welcomes strategic advisor, U.S. Army veteran, and author Kevin Black for a game-changing deep dive on team chaos. Drawing from military history, behavioral science, and his groundbreaking book Strength and Chaos, Kevin reveals why chaos is misunderstood as merely negative—and how leaders can harness it for team growth. The duo unpacks the difference between destructive and constructive chaos, behavioral adaptability, and the “PAR” dynamic that determines whether your team thrives or crumbles under stress. Whether you run a startup or manage a legacy organization, this episode arms you with a practical playbook for navigating—rather than fearing—uncertainty.
From real stories of battlefield improvisation to boardroom breakdowns, you'll reclaim chaos as your competitive advantage.
What You’ll Learn:
Why chaos isn’t always the enemy—and how rethinking it changes everything
The behavioral building blocks that determine your team’s reaction to chaos
Kevin’s six-level “control continuum” for diagnosing constructive vs. destructive chaos
How leaders can adapt their style to unlock discretionary effort and resilience
What disciplined initiative, mission command, and trust look like in high-performing teams
Hands-on exercises and tools to unify diverse personalities and create productive power
Why critical thinking beats AI shortcuts—even when uncertainty spikes
Case studies from military history and business that reveal the consequences of toxic leadership vs. adaptable command
In This Episode:
00:00 – Why chaos is personal—and not just a storm to avoid
00:32 – Meet Kevin Black: Army vet, advisor, author, and chaos expert
01:44 – What makes Strength and Chaos a first-of-its-kind book on chaos
02:55 – Defining chaos: eustress vs. distress, crisis vs. disorder
05:18 – “Mission” vs. “people” behaviors: key drivers in team settings
07:26 – Are CEOs born with ideal behaviors—or is adaptability the real superpower?
10:19 – How “behavioral drift” creates lopsided teams (and big business mistakes)
11:41 – Decoding the chaos dynamic: PAR (Perceive, Action, Reaction)
13:25 – The control continuum: anarchy, initiative, compliance, resistance
16:25 – Lessons from military teamwork: why decentralization is so hard
19:50 – Comparing battle plans: German blitz vs. U.S. invasion of Iraq
21:32 – How toxic leaders trigger malicious compliance and organizational sabotage
23:51 – Who should read Strength and Chaos—and how to use its frameworks
26:11 – Four levels of constructive chaos: unity, integration, mission command, trust
29:56 – Kevin’s “controlled chaos” war-game workshops for execs
33:06 – What if you’re naturally resistant to chaos and uncertainty?
34:58 – The leader’s real job: turn your team into the rock stars
35:52 – “DOING” acronym: measuring true team performance
38:51 – AI, critical thinking, and the future of adaptive teams
41:40 – The metaphysics of chaos: why it’s inevitable (and how to thrive)
44:44 – Kevin’s favorite leader who crushed chaos: Stonewall Jackson
46:27 – How to use (not abuse) Kevin’s frameworks with your team
47:56 – Connect with Kevin Black and learn more
About Kevin Black
Kevin Black is a U.S. Army veteran, strategic advisor, and adjunct professor of military history who helps leaders build resilient teams. He’s the author of Strength and Chaos, the first book to scientifically measure chaos at the leadership and team levels. After three years of research and extensive experience in behavioral profiling, Kevin developed actionable tools to turn chaos into a strategic edge. He regularly consults with executives using computer war gaming and behavioral diagnostics, empowering teams to adapt and thrive in the most uncertain environments.
