No Way Out
Boyd's Real OODA Loop: Deconstructing TEoWL with Chet Richards
Mar 24, 2025
Chet Richards, a close colleague of John Boyd, offers a rare glimpse into the intricate workings of the OODA loop framework. He clarifies the misconceptions surrounding Boyd's original sketch, emphasizing its complexity centered on orientation. The discussion dives into the concept of implicit guidance and control, revealing how elite performers achieve flow states through deliberate practice. Richards also highlights the importance of unity in high-performing teams, showcasing how collective experiences foster intuitive responses for effective decision-making.
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Quick takeaways
- John Boyd's OODA loop emphasizes a complex orientation phase, integrating genetic heritage, experiences, and cultural traditions into decision-making.
- The concept of implicit guidance and control in teams fosters intuitive responses, enabling high performers to achieve flow states under pressure.
Deep dives
The OODA Loop and Information Flow
The OODA loop, developed by John Boyd, incorporates the flow of information and energy as essential currencies driving decision-making and action. Information serves as the foundational component that guides the process, but Boyd emphasized that it must interact with the external world to be meaningful. Additionally, the flow must consider action resulting from observation, underscoring that it is not merely an internal cognitive process. The OODA loop effectively connects mental orientation to real-world actions, bridging the gap between thought and behavior.
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