How are you at decision making in complex environments?

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS my old mantra was "pee on the hottest fire first"

Excellent article.

It reminds me of my mantra "don't overthink the problem," which is basically:

1) Deal with the problem in front of you.

2) Assess new smaller problems that arise, put them in priority order

3) Deal with the largest problem in front of you. Repeat until no more problems.

It's been my experience that during high stress instances, many people retreat to "planning mode" where they are trying to account for variables, instead of "action mode" where they are dealing with a situation which has the potential of just getting worse, or which you are just losing time (same thing as getting worse).

Excluding "safety," any issue where I've taken an ass-chewing for action has been significantly less than one for inaction. Just my 2 cents.

Good read Sir. But to do some of what the author talks about requires time. And like in the example given he made time where there was none and made the right call. On the other hand you won't have the ability to make time in some cases. Time was taken away from you, and you can only react. Observe Orient Decide and Act sounds really good, but when the rounds are flying your way, I can only see Observing where the rounds are coming from, Orientating my Soldiers to that direction or to a position of power where we have the upper hand, Deciding how to engage or call in additional support, and Act, well the Act part is going on the whole time. There is no time to "act" all by itself. Act is fluid and moves faster than light. Faster than your brain can process it, resulting in relying on your training to get you through. I might be reading it wrong or not looking at it in the Strategic view, but more along the lines of the person on the ground.