When is it right to stick to your role—and when do you need to step up and act, even outside your formal job description? Mike and Jim tackle the age-old advice to “stay in your lane” by examining what it truly means in high-stakes environments. From a cop showing up to a burning house to Marines turning wrenches one moment and picking up rifles the next, we break down how flexibility, judgment, and initiative can make the difference between failure and mission success. Drawing on real-world examples like the 2012 Taliban attack on Camp Bastion—where Marine pilots and maintainers dropped tools and returned fire—we ask: Is it always someone else’s job, or do high-performing teams blur the lines when the stakes are high? This episode is about knowing your capabilities, understanding your limits, and recognizing when stepping outside your lane is not only appropriate—but necessary.

Show notes link:  https://amzn.to/40CUBnP - Restricted Data: The History of Nuclear Secrecy in the United States by Alex Wellerstein https://bit.ly/ArmyMDMP - Army MDMP (Military Decision Making Process) Lessons and Best Practices Book https://bit.ly/CENTCOM-Investigation - USCENTCOM Camp Bastion Investigation https://bit.ly/450c2zR - Rochester Business Journal Article

Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

Intro music credit Bensound.com