- working with incomplete information
- processing complex information under immense pressure
- assessing risk
- making sound, effective choices
- committing to a course of action with unwavering conviction
Needless to say, in combat, not only can hesitation be fatal but the capacity to grab an opportunity can make the difference between success and failure. According to the Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1: Warfighting, hesitation can be as detrimental as a wrong decision in combat. In the classroom and in the field, the Marines employ many exercises to cultivate an intuitive understanding of a dynamic battlefield.
Most importantly, a decentralized command mindset is encouraged across the ranks. Subordinates are empowered to make decisions without waiting for explicit orders for every action. The top brass has such confidence in the rigor of their training that they trust their juniors.
These principles bring Abraham to mind when he had an encounter with angels in Genesis 18. Three men showed up at his home and triggered an immediate and decisive response from him. He did not know that they were angels – and God! Unhesitatingly, he employed RDM, “ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the ground.” This is a man who was obviously used to hospitality and, out of his gifting and training, he acted instinctively when he received guests, including unexpected and unfamiliar ones.
Like a decisive person on an accident scene giving specific orders to specific people in a collected, yet urgent manner; Abraham swiftly
- greets them
- invites them to rest
- provides water to bath their feet
- instantly gets to preparing a meal.
Moreover, I love his heart that he poured into all these actions. His focus on these tasks was so that they might “refresh their hearts.” Swiftly delegating, off he “ran to the herd, and took a calf tender and good, and gave it to a young man, and he hastened to dress it.” Then to Sarah to prepare bread. Again, notice his attention not just to the tasks but to quality, when he chose a tender and good calf. He did not slap things together and scrimp along with ‘good enough.’
The Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) uses theoretical frameworks and practical applications. In it, speed is always prioritized over exhaustive analysis. According to the Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication, while appearing structured, the MCPP is designed to be adaptable and compressed under time constraints, with a 3-fold focus:
- mission analysis
- course of action development
- decision-making.
The Marine Corps Warfighting Publication describes yet another tool – Tactical Decision Games (TDGs). These scenario-based exercises present Marines with complex, ambiguous situations requiring immediate tactical solutions. “TDGs force participants to analyze a situation, identify the critical factors, develop a plan, and articulate their decision under simulated pressure.” The emphasis is not necessarily on finding the “perfect” solution, but on making a timely one that you can stand behind. Through TDGs, Marines develop pattern recognition and an intuitive understanding of tactical problems, enabling quicker responses in real-world scenarios. In yesterday’s post, this is the rationale behind me encouraging you to practice developing similar skills in everyday circumstances of your life. Your divine brain (https://youtu.be/wxLYKwpYbiI) will start forming patterns that your cellular memory will follow in a crisis.
In our next post, we will apply Rapid Decision-Making to your life.
CTA:
- Contemplate personal situations where your decisiveness has to or will lead to effective functioning under pressure.
- How good are you at rapid decision-making?
- How might rapid decision-making improve your life?
1.My personal not so great but not bad.
2.Making decision involving others in some cases terrible. Some I can really help. Thinking about it, its my heart versus my brain. Usually my heart wins and its not always logical.
3. It would greatly improve my life. No more of this yo-yo, wishy washy stuff.
The benefit of training yourself in small stakes under pressure will help you greatly improve the skill of rapid decision-making as you evaluate what went well and what you can differently next time.