Category: Decisionmaking

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blog Decisionmaking Leadership Uncategorized

on Niccolò Machiavelli #10

“Minds are of three kinds: one is capable of thinking for itself; another is able to understand the thinking of others; and a third can neither think for itself nor understand the thinking of others. The first is of the highest excellence, the second is excellent, and the third is worthless.” – Niccolò Machiavelli

In us, everyday a struggle rages. Oh don’t say, “No! Not me!”

You are a human being and you are just like the rest of us. Everyday, we wake up with good intentions but what happens throughout the day and our reactions to those events that happen is what makes us choose between one of the three kinds.

Unfortunately, we tend to pick the first or the third mind and seldom do we choose the second mind.

That is why we must always be cognizant of the fact that we can make a choice and not just act because that’s the way we’ve always done things.

Be mindful of the fact that actions do not always require reactions, they require slow and deliberate response to the action.

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Change Decisionmaking Leadership Motivation

on Niccolò Machiavelli #8

“For whoever believes that great advancement and new benefits make men forget old injuries is mistaken.” -Niccolò Machiavelli

I once fell into a very large pile of rusty, old concertina wire (razor wire). If you know what razor wire is you know it can get pretty nasty if you get tangled up in it. Needless to say, I are tangled up in. It happened when I was in the Army. We were out on field maneuvers patrolling in a wooded area. I was part of the left flank as we approached a clearing. My attention was focused on the clearing and what might or might not be there. Then the forest floor gave out on me. I found myself bouncing on something semi-springy. I landed on my back onto the largest collection of used concertina wire in all of Fort Benning, Georgia.

To this day, I see one of the scars every time I sit down to type. I sliced open my right ring finger from my middle joint to just below my fingernail. While lying on top of the pile I could see the ligament and bones. It was a nice clean slice of course that was just before the bleeding started there and on my left calf with the six-inch slice. A medevac flight, some bandages, and a nice tetanus shot later I was good to go. Having learned my lesson, and just like that, I never walked in those woods or any other woods the same way, again. Every field exercise or deployment after that, I made certain I knew what I was stepping on and most certainly, where I was going.

The same applies to the top quote by Machiavelli. When we move forward. It is through our gained experience that we can move forward with caution and with speed. Speed in that we know where the landmines (or bundles of trashed concertina wire) are and caution to ensure that we avoid and freshly laid landmines.

What I am trying to say is don’t forget that the unexpected is always just one footstep away and don’t forget that as you go on your way forward.

Thanks,
David Guerra

 

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Decisionmaking Leadership

on Niccolò Machiavelli #3

“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively.” – Niccolò Machiavelli

Thinking before acting is obviously the best course of action no matter what the situation is or will be. Much like the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loop I included in The Walking Leader (Rule #11 Correct on the Spot), Machiavelli tell us if we are in any situation where action must be taken, it is wise to calculate the associated risks, form a plan, then act swiftly.

The ability to pause, think, then act is essential in any situation, especially if danger is involved (or not involved). Take your time and act appropriately, of course if the situation is an emergency situation then it’s all hands on deck until the emergency subsides.

Make a decision, take action, move forward, but don’t avoid. Never avoid.