Title: Dynamic leadership in unstable and unpredictable environments

Authors: Dag Von Lubitz, Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Addresses: HH and GA Dow College of Health Professions, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804, USA. ' Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60661, USA

Abstract: Effective leadership requires the combination of highly developed cognitive skills, a broad-base of knowledge and the prudent application of both to a given situation. In unstable and unpredictable environments, leaders are forced to be decisive, making decisions that have far-reaching consequences. However, they neither have the luxury of time nor complete information to facilitate rapid decision-making. This paper discusses how it is possible for a leader to be both prepared and ready for operating in complex environments with success through the application of Boyd|s OODA loop and consequent OODA thinking.

Keywords: leadership; Boyd; observe orient decide act; OODA loop; decision-making; complex environments.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2006.009085

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2006 Vol.3 No.4, pp.339 - 350

Published online: 23 Feb 2006 *

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