What’s the Point of a Plan? Why Planning Still Wins When Everything Falls Apart
In this episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks breaks down a hard leadership truth: plans rarely survive first contact—but planning is still essential.
Drawing from real combat missions and life-or-death decisions, Derek explains why mental rehearsal, preparation, and clarity of intent matter more than a perfect plan. From military operations to business, relationships, and everyday leadership, this episode shows how planning builds alignment, reduces risk, and sharpens decision-making when chaos hits.
If you’ve ever wondered whether planning is…
The skinny
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