Page 31 - MS Year in Review 2020

THE BOTTOM-LINE IMPLICATIONS FOR

LEADERSHIP

Given this analysis, what is the bottom line about the leadership situation with this
virus? This virus creates a “Type D” situation with a very high degree of

uncertainty and a lack of complete knowledge. Accordingly, both the “Ready-
fire-aim” and the “Ready-Ready-Ready…” approaches are sub-optimal in this type

of situation.

The “Ready-Aim-Fire” approach is optimal under a situation with a very high
degree of uncertainty and a lack of complete knowledge. This (“Professional

manager”) approach is designed to strike a balance between taking advantage of
opportunity and controlling risk.

Action is taken, but only after systematic analysis, evaluation, and consideration of
alternatives. Data or information is a key component of the professional approach.

Unfortunately, however, the has been a bias against the Professional

manager approach for the last few decades. It has been mischaracterized as a
bureaucratic approach.

In brief, the call to action of this discussion is to reconsider the virtues and value of

a “Ready-Aim-Fire” approach to leadership.

The wisdom of this approach was seen in the behavior and later expressed
philosophy of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, during World War II. Eisenhower, who
was both the Supreme Commander in Chief of Allied Forces during WW II and later

President of the United States, stated in discussing the Allied invasion of
Normandy: “Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.”

This approach is not a panacea. Yet it offers clear advantages over the other

approach at the ends of the continuum. The implication of this is that data,
analysis, and planning ought to precede decision making and action.

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