Every day, we are confronted with situations that require us to make decisions.  Some decisions are easy.  Some are not.  Yet, each day we face the world not knowing what we’ll have to decide. 

It’s a challenge that I suspect doesn’t get much thought.  We tend to develop “I’ll take it as it comes” attitudes.  Some folks hide under the guise of an “I can handle anything” mentality.  Others are a bit more prepared, and work to develop strategies to provide themselves with the greatest chance to excel.  Once again, preparation and anticipation are key characteristics of people who have found success. 

Many companies have instituted a step in the hiring process that is designated as a working interview.  To get to this stage, the candidate must possess the required skills and experience necessary for the position.  Known as Job Previews, Shift Follows or On the Job Experiences, this step in the interview process allows employers to see a candidate in a real environment.  It also provides the candidate with an opportunity to gain insight into culture, systems and engagement before accepting any offer to join the organization.

I advise candidates to take this working interview very seriously.  Don’t be a wallflower. Interact with the team (all levels and departments), and with the guests or customers.  A great way to maximize this opportunity is to study OODA ahead of time.

An OODA Loop (or Cycle) is a decision making concept consisting of four overlapping and interacting processes. It’s an important concept in military strategy and business strategy.

According to Colonel John Boyd (US Air Force), the OODA originator, decision making occurs in a cycle of observe |orient | decide | act.  An entity (either an individual or an organization) that can process this cycle quickly can get inside the opponent's decision cycle and gain an advantage. OODA can help a person or company to outmaneuver the competition, respond decisively to fast-changing conditions, and defeat rivals.

Boyd emphasized that "the loop" is actually a set of interacting loops that are to be kept in continuous operation. He also indicated that the phase of the process has an important bearing on the ideal allocation of one's individual energies.

As we find ourselves in new environments or situations, we observe the unfolding circumstances while unconsciously drawing upon previous life experiences.  We orient ourselves by consuming the new information in relation to our culture, heritage, and past experiences.  We contemplate, analyze and devise a point of view.  We make a decision.  We act upon that decision, and then, the cycle begins again.

Next time you are asked to participate in a working interview, take the time to review OODA before you go.  It may turn out to be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.  It will help you to navigate within the new setting by providing a framework for the overall experience. It can also help you to distinguish yourself from other less prepared candidates.  

Read more on OODA at http://oodacycle.com/OODA.aspx.

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