We have discussed how the OODA ‘loop’ sketch as envisioned by John Boyd is not a simple formula created by a fighter pilot while he was serving in the Korean War. That is a myth.
Likewise, the OODA "loop” sketch is not some simple heuristic that you “use” or “apply in certain situations.” That reduces both John Boyd and his contributions to learning in complex, asymmetric and nonlinear environments. And if you are operating that way, your competitors will defeat you.
Instead the OODA "loop” sketch is the culmination of all of Boyd’s work to the point in 1996 when it was sketched. On a decades long intellectual journey, Boyd unraveled and reassembled a wide variety of interdisciplinary inputs. This illustration by Chet Richards helps illustrate the epistemology of Boyd’s work from 1976 when “Destruction and Creation” was published; to 1996, when the OODA “loop” sketch was drawn with the help of Franklin “Chuck” Spinney.
Here is Richards’ graphic “Origins of John Boyd’s Discourse”:
So what?
So what is that you now you can begin to better understand the depth and breadth of Boyd’s insight, and how it culminated in the OODA “loop” sketch. This is important for you as a leader because an interdisciplinary and generalist approach is exactly what you need to lead your organization in VUCA. This is going to give you a massive competitive advantage because the overwhelming majority of your competitors will not be thinking like that.
They, conventional and unoriginal, will be thinking like this:
You on the other hand, unconventional and original, will have the competitive edge because you understand this:
More to come. Any questions so far?
Here are some for you:
1. How will understanding the OODA “loop” sketch to enhance decision-making and agility within your team?
2. What insights from Sun Tzu will help you outmaneuver competitors and lead your organization more effectively?
3. How can you apply complexity concepts to help your team adapt to uncertainty and change?
4. How can the concepts of guerrilla warfare augment the effectiveness of your business strategies?
5. How will you promote a culture of continuous learning and innovation by integrating Boyd’s “Conceptual Spiral” of “Insight, Imagination, and Initiative” into your leadership?
How you answer these questions versus how your competitors answer them will be critical for your ability to thrive!