Trends and Research in the Decision Sciences: Best Papers from the 2014 Annual Conference

13. Leading to Live: Factors Affecting Team Outcomes in Near-Death Encounters

—Deirdre P. Dixon, Case Western Reserve University

—Richard Boland, Case Western Reserve University

—Sheri Perelli, Case Western Reserve University

—Michael R. Weeks, University Of Tampa

—James Gaskin, Brigham Young University

Abstract

For teams faced with the threat of death, the generally accepted positive effects of training and experience may be insufficient to ensure survival and meet mission goals. Survey responses of 494 military leaders recalling “in extremis” (at the point of death) encounters reveal situation awareness and perceived control may trump training and experience in effecting positive outcomes. These results empirically support the rapidly accumulating, ...