🔁 The OODA Loop: How Fighter Pilots (and Smart Leaders) Make Better Decisions

The speed-based decision framework every modern leader needs

Decision-making is hard.

But the hardest part isn’t the decision itself, but the time pressure that comes with it.

You’re trying to make a call while inputs are still flying in. While your Slack is buzzing. While you’re still processing what just happened in that last meeting.

In the middle of all that, it can be tempting to overthink, or to just default to what you did the last time.

But there’s a better way to lead through uncertainty. In this issue, we will discuss the OODA Loop, a decision-making framework that does exactly that. And guess what: it came from a place that knows chaos better than most: aerial dogfights.

So, here’s what we will cover:

• Part 1: Understanding the OODA Loop

  • A Brief History: From Cockpits to Boardrooms

  • How the OODA Loop Works

• Part 2: Applying the OODA Loop

  • Step-by-Step: Using the OODA Loop in Leadership

  • Real-Life Leadership Scenarios

  • The OODA Loop Worksheet

• Part 3: Going from Here

  • Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

  • Recommended Resources

  • Final Thoughts

Ready to dive in? Let’s go! 🚀

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Part 1: Understanding the OODA Loop

In this section, we’ll explore what the OODA Loop is, how it works, and why it matters for leaders.

A Brief History: From Cockpits to Boardrooms

The OODA Loop was developed by U.S. Air Force Colonel John Boyd, a fighter pilot turned military strategist.

Boyd wasn’t just known for his flying skills. He was obsessed with understanding why some pilots survived aerial dogfights while others didn’t. And he realized it came down to this: the pilots who could process new information faster, and act on it, had the edge.

They weren’t necessarily the strongest or most experienced. They were simply better at staying ahead of the situation.

So Boyd built the OODA Loop to describe what these top performers were doing even if they didn’t know it themselves.

Over time, this model spread far beyond the military. Today, it’s used in business strategy, emergency response, cybersecurity, and, yes, leadership.

Because leadership, like flying a jet in combat, often demands fast decisions in uncertain conditions.

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How the OODA Loop Works

OODA stands for:

• Observe: What’s happening? What are the facts?

• Orient: What does this mean in context? What assumptions or mental models are you using?

• Decide: What’s your best move based on what you’ve seen and interpreted?

• Act: Take the action. Then immediately loop back to observe what happened next.

What makes it different from other models is speed.

The goal is to cycle through the loop faster and better than the chaos around you.

And here’s what I like most about this model: The faster you go through the loop with intention, the more you can adapt, respond, and stay ahead.

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Part 2: Applying the OODA Loop

In this section, you will learn how to apply the OODA Loop in your role as a leader.

• We will begin by walking through the 4 stages: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, and how they show up in leadership settings.

• We’ll then examine 3 common real-world leadership challenges - prioritization, firefighting, and managing ambiguity - through the lens of the OODA Loop.

• Finally, you’ll get the OODA Loop Worksheet to practice using this framework in your everyday leadership decisions.

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Step-by-Step: Using the OODA Loop in Leadership

The OODA Loop isn’t just about being fast. It’s about being fast and deliberate. Here’s how to run the loop well, especially in high-pressure leadership situations: