Orientation is Everything: Inside Boyd's Thinking with Chet Richards

What does the OODA loop really mean—and why do most leaders get it wrong?

In this episode, Chet Richards—military strategist, Boyd collaborator, and author of Certain to Win—joins host Mike Jones to dive into the deeper layers of John Boyd’s thinking. We go beyond the buzzwords to explore how orientation drives every aspect of decision-making, tempo, and strategic agility.

You’ll learn why mental models—not just data—shape how organisations perceive, decide, and act in complexity.

🔍 In this episode:

• What orientation really means in the OODA loop
• Why decision-making is more than speed—it’s about fit
• The role of decentralisation and trust in military and business leadership
• How culture and power dynamics shape your ability to adapt
• What business can and can’t learn from military doctrine

Guest Bio:
Chet Richards is a retired USAF Colonel and a leading interpreter of John Boyd’s work. He is the author of Certain to Win: The Strategy of John Boyd, Applied to Business, and has worked with military, government, and corporate leaders on applying Boyd’s ideas to organisational life.

📘 Buy the book: https://a.co/d/9ZR4Pvp

🔗 Learn more: https://slightlyeastofnew.com

🎧 Keywords: Strategy, OODA loop, Decision Making, Chet Richards, John Boyd, Orientation, Decentralisation, Leadership, Military Strategy, Business Agility, Organisational Behaviour, Systems Thinking

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🔗 Full episodes, show notes, and resources: https://www.lbiconsulting.com/strategymeetsreality-podcast

📺 Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@StrategyMeetsReality

Connect with host Mike Jones → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-h-jones/