Adm. James Stavridis on what decision-making in the heat of battle can teach civilians

Podcast featuring Adm. James Stavridis, dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University

In war, a commander’s decisions have consequences. Lost battles can mean lost wars.

Retired Admiral James Stavridis served in the U.S. military, and as former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO.

He says leaders have to learn how to think, plan, decide — and act — in moments of high stress and danger. Sometimes, that means risking everything.

“We see Ukraine and Russia locked into a war. We see two leaders who have risked it all,” he says. “On one side, Vladimir Putin … is risking his future and his nation’s future in many ways. On the other side of the lines, we see Vladimir Zelenskyy, who is risking it all in a very different way and for very different reasons.”

Admiral James Stavridis knows what it takes to make decisions in battle.

Stavridis says the things needed to make good decisions in war are not that different from what’s needed to make good decisions when facing challenges of everyday life. He’ll tell us about it.

To listen to the podcast from On Point, click here.