Boyd
John Boyd was an Air Force fighter pilot who developed and taught some of the first formalized air combat tactics and published a theory known as Energy-Maneuverability (E-M) that became the foundation for all combat aircraft design and strategy that followed. Through military briefings and many unpublished writings, colonel Boyd became an influential thought leader and change agent in the top-down culture of the Air Force, and later the Pentagon. His habit of questioning his superiors as well as his bombastic personality and obsessive passion made him an unpopular figure with military brass. Despite his indelible influence and his unquestionable contribution to warfighting doctrine, he both a pariah and an unsung hero. He was self-effacing and seldom took credit or promoted himself — anathema to getting promoted in the military. That said, even after he retired from the Air force he was a close mentor to a group of followers, whom Coram calls, his acolytes. With Boyd’s influence, his acolytes fought against rampant Pentagon defense contract in the early 80s Reagan era.
His theories that built on E-M were later applied to military strategy — not just air combat — and even business. “Maneuver conflict” principles are based on mutual trust, harmony and flow— ideas that are essential to Lean and agile movements from Toyota to Scrum.
