Special forces operators deploy into some of the most volatile and demanding environments and war zones in the world. From conducting tactical hostage rescues to performing direct-action kill/capture missions, operators often find themselves making critical decisions under stress. If you want to join the ranks of the world’s most elite warriors, you must become proficient at making choices and taking ownership of stressful, fast-paced situations.

Luckily, nobody is born with strong leadership and decision-making – it’s a learned skill. Here are the Operators Association’s four steps to making decisions and executing under pressure. Although these steps are used by special forces operators, the fundamentals aren’t exclusive to military decision-making. You can apply them any time you have to make a difficult choice in any facet of your life. 

“Leading from the front” is a constantly repeated phrase in the military, but it's not always the best policy. Sometimes, stepping back and taking a holistic look at a stressful situation helps you get a better perspective. 

When you are engaged in a high-pressure scenario – whether it’s at work, sports, or during an operation – it is easy to get tunnel vision. As a leader, becoming fixated on the problem directly in front of you prevents you from making informed decisions.

The next time you’re in a stressful situation and must make a choice, start by stepping back, detaching, and taking a holistic look at the circumstances. The ability to detach is also a critical part of having good Judgement as a leader, one of the Marine Corps 14 key leadership traits (Click Here to read OA’s article about the 14 Traits That Make You a Leader).

Now that you’ve taken a step back, it’s time to identify your objectives. You might be facing an immediate threat, but don’t lose vision of your long-term goals. The choices you make must not only solve the immediate problem at hand but also satisfy your team’s mission in the long run. 

Although special forces operators never enjoy losing, sometimes it’s “better to lose the battle but win the war.” There’s no dishonor in making a tactical retreat in order to accomplish the bigger mission – your first task as a leader is to facilitate success; don’t let your ego cloud your judgement.

This step builds off of not letting your ego cloud your judgement. It’s critical to remember that just because you’re responsible for making a decision, you don’t have to make it alone. Your team is one of the best assets you have as a leader – failing to use them means you’re leaving options on the table. If you have the time, consult both your subordinates and superiors for advice. The more trusted people you involve in your decisions, the more perspective you can get on the situation and the more informed your final judgement will be.

Involving your team in a decision will also improve their understanding of the choice and subsequently increase their willingness to execute. Encouraging your team to assist in decision-making is a critical part of creating plans and procedures as a leader.

It’s time to make a decision. If you have followed the above steps correctly by stepping back, identifying your objectives, and seeking advice, you should be able to make an informed decision.

Although you’ve made a choice, your decision-making process isn’t done yet. You still have to execute. The most effective way to carry out a plan is with aggression. This doesn’t mean that you must be loud and brash (many plans require stealth and nuance). Instead, aggressive execution means that you immediately implement the idea with your team and decisively strive to accomplish its objectives. After a decision is made, there’s no room for second-guessing your choice; the only way to go is forward.

Whether you want to become an operator or just a more effective leader, following these steps will help you make better choices under pressure. The more you begin applying these decision-making foundations, the more relaxed and adaptable you will become in fast-paced, high-stress situations. Start following these steps regularly today, and you’ll be a decision-making expert by the time you get to your special forces selection!

Another way to boost your chances of getting selected as a special forces operator is to join Operators Association as an Aspiring Operator. You’ll get exclusive access to our 900+ member community, exclusive podcasts from active and retired special forces operators, and a weekly accountability group that will keep you disciplined and on track. Join today!