Operation Chaos—Practice Your Strategic Thinking

By John A. Warden III, CEO, Venturist, Inc.

It is definitely hard to miss the heated rhetoric on both sides of the aisle this primary election season-on television, on the radio and in the blogosphere.  And sometimes it is really difficult to glean anything strategic out of the electioneering tactics and babble.  However it did strike me that at least one on-going bit of campaign news is worth examining strategically.  That would be Rush Limbaugh’s self proclaimed Operations Chaos.  Whether your views are left or right on this election, there is sufficient information on Operation Chaos to examine it rationally using a The Essence of Strategy framework.

These two recent posts on Operation Chaos are indicative of its substance and its objectives.  The news media are also covering it from all sides.

Operation Chaos Super Delegates, Operations Chaos a Success

So here’s my challenge to you Strategic Thinkers out there.  Apply the Essence of Strategy framework to Operation Chaos and answer these questions for me? (There are no wrong answers here!)

WHERE: Where does Rush Limbaugh want the American political environment to be as a result of Operation Chaos?  What is his clear, compelling and measurable Future Picture for Operation Chaos?  What are Rush Limbaugh’s strategic measures of success?  Remember, if you can’t measure success, you won’t know if you are achieving it.

WHAT: What is he applying his resources to–the systems and control points (Centers of Gravity)?  What are the key internal and external Centers of Gravity that must change for Operation Chaos to succeed?

HOW:  How is Operation Chaos being orchestrated?  Are there individual campaigns, multiple phases of operations or is it all over after the Pennsylvania primary.  Is it all being controlled from the EIB microphone or as Rush says, are there operatives everywhere executing the plan?

EXIT:  Not all strategic endeavors or tactical actions succeed.  Some or all of Operation Chaos may fail.  What are Rush’s Exit points or at least what should they be?  What are the circumstances that would indicate exiting the Operation Chaos strategy would be the most prudent thing to do?

The Essence of Strategy framework is not limited to business, the military or governments.  It is a valuable and successful method of planning and analyzing any strategy.  Strategic Thinkers, regardless of their political views will practice using it whenever they can.  So what is the Operation Chaos strategy?  (Note: If this exercise makes you mad, then your strategic analysis should help you oppose Operation Chaos.  On the other hand, if you agree with Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos strategy, your analysis will help your support it.)

Tagged as: Operation Chaos, Rush Limbaugh, Rush The Vote, Strategic Thinking, The Essence of Strategy