Manage Uncertainty with Commander's Intent

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Commander's Intent is the definition and description of what a successful operation will yield. Good Commander's Intent allows employees and teams to adapt the plan using improvisation, initiative, and adaptation to reach the original plan objectives.

Steps to grow initiative and improvisation are essential to have an employee base that can execute Commander's Intent. The following are training ideas and concepts to grow an employee capability for Commander's Intent:

1. Simulation Training and After-Action Reviews. Organizations need to find a way to allow employees to simulate new product introductions, competitive analysis, and store openings. These simulations can incorporate dynamic changes in the base business situation that will force employee's to adapt themselves and their teams to new changes to meet the existing business objectives.
   
2. Small Projects. Empowering a subordinate or a team to enter a small, untested market or attempt a new project has little risk to the core business and is an excellent testing ground to build confidence, improvisation, and a strong employee base with nominal risk.
   
3. Business History, Military History, and Current Events. A strong understanding of past events provides context, ideas, and a perspective on the value of improvisation in history and business.