Leadership principles transcend industries. Whether you’re leading a military battalion or managing a team in a business, situational awareness is a skill that sets great leaders apart. This concept, central to a recent conversation between Lieutenant Colonel Matt Rasmussen and I, offers lessons for decision-makers navigating complex environments.
Matt’s military experience spans deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, commanding hundreds of soldiers, and teaching strategy at the U.S. Army War College. His insights reveal how situational awareness—the ability to process and prioritize information about yourself, your competitors, and your environment—can help leaders make better decisions. Here are key takeaways from our discussion and how they apply to business.
In the military, situational awareness is broken into three “bins”:
For business leaders, these bins translate into a framework for competitive strategy. Do you understand your own strengths and weaknesses? Are you tuned in to competitors’ activities? Are you aware of shifts in your industry or broader market trends? Too often, businesses operate without clear answers to these questions, leading to wasted resources or missed opportunities.
According to Matt, “operations follow intelligence.” In other words, decisions should be grounded in data, not instinct or haste. This principle is especially relevant in today’s data-rich environment.
Business leaders often face analysis paralysis—overwhelmed by information and unsure how to act. Matt’s approach offers clarity: prioritize intelligence gathering, but focus on the information that matters most to your objectives. Define your planning horizons (near, mid, and long-term), and align your intelligence efforts accordingly. For example:
By linking intelligence directly to planning, you’ll ensure that every action is purposeful and resource efficient.
If you’re not sure how to align your business intelligence assets and your planning, my team can help. Our data analytics platform, Clearboard, and our strategists can help you identify the metrics that really matter and forge a path forward.
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One of the standout moments of our conversation was Matt’s emphasis on clarity. Leaders must set a clear vision and repeat it constantly. When a team understands the “why” behind their work, they’re more likely to execute effectively.
In Afghanistan, he observed a leader who excelled in this area. Despite the chaos of war, the general’s priorities were consistent and well-communicated. This clarity ensured alignment across a sprawling, complex operation.
For business leaders, the takeaway is simple: repetition matters. Whether you’re scaling a startup or managing a team of ten, communicate your goals frequently and plainly. “Over-communicate” is a mantra for a reason.
For myself and many other leaders, it’s can be hard to balance day-to-day operations with long-term strategy. Matt’s solution? Leaders must step back regularly to focus on improving the organization—not just running it.
Leaders often feel the pull of immediate tasks, but he argues that delegating these tasks is essential to maintaining strategic focus. He recommends:
Another key insight was the importance of elevating roles that might not traditionally be seen as “strategic.” Matt shared how his former commander gave prominence to a small team of analysts, ensuring they had visibility and input at the highest levels of decision-making. This approach not only boosted morale but also improved decision quality by incorporating diverse perspectives.
Business leaders can apply this lesson by:
Artificial intelligence was a recurring theme. Matt noted that AI’s ability to process vast datasets can revolutionize decision-making, but leaders must approach it critically. Rather than blindly following AI-generated insights, he suggests combining them with human expertise to identify gaps and refine strategies.
For businesses, this means treating AI as a partner, not a replacement. Use it to:
But always apply a human filter to ensure outputs align with your goals and values.
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As the conversation wrapped up, Matt offered a parting thought: simplicity wins. In complex environments, over-complicated plans often fail. Clear, actionable priorities allow teams to adapt and thrive—whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom.
For business leaders, this underscores the importance of focusing on what matters most. Resist the urge to overthink or over-engineer your strategy. Instead, return to your core mission and values.
Leadership is about navigating complexity with clarity. Whether you’re leading a platoon or running a company, situational awareness—paired with clear communication, thoughtful planning, and a willingness to adapt—is key to long-term success.
Business leaders have much to learn from military strategy. The tools may differ, but the principles remain the same: know your environment, act with purpose, and never lose sight of your mission.
Want to share your thoughts or learn more about how LaFleur’s approach to business intelligence? Email me at chip@lafleur.marketing.