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What if you could see disruption coming before it hits? The concept of "Left of Bang" transforms how we understand threat detection and strategic advantage—not just in combat zones, but in boardrooms, investment portfolios, and everyday situations.

Patrick Van Horne, co-author of "Left of Bang" and former Marine Corps Combat Hunter instructor, breaks down this powerful framework that was originally developed to help Marines identify insurgent threats in Iraq and Afghanistan. The premise is elegantly simple: "bang" is any critical event that forces reaction, and positioning yourself "left of bang" means you've anticipated it, prepared for it, and can potentially shape the outcome rather than merely responding to it.

The discussion reveals how this approach creates fractal advantages across different domains. For business leaders, it means establishing systems to monitor weak signals and market shifts. For investors, it provides a framework to recognize patterns before markets react. For security professionals, it sharpens threat recognition. At every level, the methodology transforms reactive thinking into proactive positioning.

Van Horne explains that when disruption hits, organizations typically follow one of three paths: immediate collapse, diminished survival, or adaptive growth. The difference isn't luck—it's preparation, awareness, and the ability to detect what others miss. He introduces practical components like establishing baselines (what's normal), identifying watch points (indicators to monitor), and setting action points (thresholds that trigger decisions).

The episode underscores the synergy between Left of Bang and Boyd’s OODA loop, highlighting how both empower individuals and organizations to stay ahead of disruptions by embracing adaptability, decentralized deci

John R. Boyd's Conceptual Spiral was originally titled No Way Out. In his own words: 

“There is no way out unless we can eliminate the features just cited. Since we don’t know how to do this, we must continue the whirl of reorientation…”

March 25, 2025

Flow Learning Lab

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