Today, I want to talk to you about agile decision making in your leadership. Now, often as church leaders we face uncertainty and need to quickly move forward in making a decision. I want to talk to you about a process to help you do just that. So let’s take a look.
This diagram may or may not look familiar. It’s one by John Boyd. He was a World War II military strategist who said during dogfights, between fighter pilots, each pilot went through these four decision phases. Whoever did them quicker was the one that won out. Most of us aren’t locked in a life or death struggle, but these four phases will still be helpful in you becoming a more agile decision making leader.
First, observe. We want to observe what is going on around us. What’s the situation?
Next, we want to look at the facts. We want to orient ourselves based on the situation. What do we need to orient to or adapt to what’s going on? How do you need to change in light of your current reality?
Next, we move to making a decision. Now based on your observations, what do you have identified as an opportunity for change? What can you decide on that will actually help you move forward?
Finally, act. We must now, that we’ve made the decision, act upon it. We have to see it through to completion, then we want to observe those results. Now you’re not done because one decision leads to another. This is a decision loop. It’s not a linear diagram, because even after you’ve made that action step, you are going to be continually evaluating the decision and improving your system — improving your leadership.
As a leader you may walk through these phases again and again and again. After all, one good decision, or a bad decision, inevitably leads to another. But the quicker you are at making solid decisions, the better leader you will become.
Now that you understand the agility decision making framework, what are you going to do about it?
