Offers from the CIA and FBI!? The OODA Loop Thinking of a Talent with an Unconventional Background.

The " OODA " loop is gaining attention as a decision-making model that guides solutions to the rapidly changing business challenges of today.

This series explores the appeal of OODA and offers insights for developing the leadership needed in the coming era through dialogues with "OODA practitioners" across various industries. This episode's guest is REINA, a former comedian, talent, and employee at a space-related venture company.

REINA, who hails from the U.S., holds a graduate degree from Harvard, and turned down offers from the CIA and FBI to become a Japanese comedian—a truly unique background—will converse with Aaron Zu, author of "OODA-Style Leadership: The World's Most Powerful Doctrine" (Shuwa System).

【What is OODA?】

A decision-making and action process proposed by John Boyd, a former U.S. Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot. The term comes from the initials of Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. Its purpose is to consistently take the best course of action in constantly changing, unpredictable situations.In Western business and marketing, OODA is recognized as an essential decision-making process alongside the traditional PDCA cycle. ( Learn more here ).
 

Not the CIA or FBI, but choosing the "unconventional strategy" of a Japanese comedian

Aaron: I felt like REINA and I had similar backgrounds, so I unilaterally felt a kinship and was really looking forward to talking with you this time (laughs).

REINA: Did you live in the U.S.?

Aaron: Yes, I lived there for about 8 years total. As a child, I went back and forth between Japan and the US. After graduating high school in Japan, I went to university in the US and joined the US Air Force ROTC while I was there. Later, while looking for a job, I happened to attend a career forum held in Japan. That led to me getting a job offer from a Japanese IT company, and after some twists and turns, here I am (laughs).

REINA: Hmm, we might actually have some similarities. My parents are Japanese, but I was born and raised in the U.S. I loved political science, so I went to Brown University, famous for international relations, and majored in counterterrorism studies. While there, I interned at Bill Clinton's office and passed the CIA exam, but I chose to pursue graduate studies because I was interested in Harvard's program.During grad school, I interned at the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

After that, while working at Reuters, I applied to the FBI. However, during the final polygraph interview, I failed because the machine flagged me—even though I wasn't lying. The FBI offered me a retake, but I was turned off by their organizational culture that trusted machine judgments. I quit Reuters, came to Japan, enrolled in Watanabe Entertainment's school, and here I am today.

Aaron: Your resume is packed with power words, but Watanabe Entertainment stands out as clearly different (laughs).

REINA: Yeah, you're right (laughs).

Aaron: Why did you decide to come to Japan, and specifically enter the world of comedy?

REINA: I came to Japan because I wanted to reset my life and challenge myself with something new. That said, I didn't really have a specific plan when I arrived. But since I'd always admired jobs involving performing in front of people and the world of television since I was little, I vaguely searched for talent agencies. That's how I happened to stumble upon Watanabe Entertainment's school recruitment page. I think I had an interview about three days later, got accepted, and became a comedian.

Aaron: Were you exposed to Japanese comedy back when you lived in America?

REINA: My grandmother was a huge fan of Sanma Akashiya, and she often sent me tapes of shows he appeared on. For some reason, there was also a supermarket nearby where you could watch Japanese TV, so I watched variety shows a lot.

Aaron: So you were able to blend right into the culture of Japanese comedy and variety shows?


REINA:No, I had absolutely no knowledge of the industry, and since it's a world where your sense of humor is tested, it was really tough. Even now, there are lots of things I don't understand, but I did learn that timing, tempo, and a sense of rhythm are crucial (laughs).

Aaron: Your duo disbanded, right?

REINA: Yes. We disbanded about six months after debuting. My partner found something else they wanted to pursue.

Aaron: So then you joined a venture company?

REINA: Helping launch a startup led me to join a company in the communications business. I worked on professional talent consulting and even served as an executive. Currently, I'm an employee at a space-related startup.

Venture employee and TV commentator. Navigating unpredictable days with OODA loop thinking

Aaron: OODA is a framework originating in America. Did you encounter the term while living there, REINA?

REINA: I wasn't familiar with the term itself, but after reading Aaron's book, I felt it was a framework that fits very well with American temperament and culture. While Americans vary, there's a tendency toward action-oriented thinking, and many make decisions quickly. Especially in business settings, rapid judgment on immediate situations was often required, so I might have been practicing OODA without realizing it.

Aaron:I see. Japan, being a manufacturing powerhouse, has long relied on PDCA as a solid framework well-suited for quality control. However, in today's rapidly changing business environment, traditional theories sometimes fail. Consequently, more companies—led by executives sensing this crisis—are gradually adopting OODA.

REINA: That's a positive development. I've never worked for a large corporation and have always been in the startup world. Haven't you noticed the atmosphere in startups changing over the last few years?

Aaron: Where do you sense this change?

REINA: Traditionally, one of the strengths of startups was their speed of decision-making, but I feel that pace is accelerating even more. Also, this might just be the case at the company I'm at now, but I feel there are more opportunities for everyone – the president, executives, and new hires – to exchange opinions on a level playing field.

Aaron: It's true, many startups have a close distance between the CEO and employees. By the way, startups seem to constantly face unpredictable situations. How do you handle such changes?

REINA:OODA loop thinking is absolutely essential. For us, the initial "Observe" phase is particularly crucial. The space sector generates massive amounts of information, so we spend significant time filtering and selecting which data to trust and use. Once that's solid, the subsequent steps—"Decide" and "Act"—can proceed very quickly. It's like jumping directly from "Observe" to "Act."

Aaron: By the way, you also work as a commentator. On TV sets, you must respond to unpredictable situations too, right?

REINA: That's right. With news programs, the stories we cover can change suddenly on the spot, so quick reflexes and judgment are essential. Applying the OODA loop, I think the hardest part is probably the " decision " stage. You have to instantly decide how to analyze all the incoming information. Plus, you need to weave in your own perspective rather than just giving safe, generic comments, and you have to consider whether your comment is appropriate. Especially during live broadcasts, the decision-making speed is insane (laughs).

Leadership Skills Learned from Bill Clinton

Aaron: Leadership is one of the essential elements of OODA. Was Bill Clinton, a world-class leader, truly that impressive?

REINA: I only had a few opportunities to speak with Mr. Clinton, but what I felt observing him was that " leadership is a skill."When Clinton entered a room, you could sense his presence even before he spoke. It wasn't just about charisma; it encompassed every detail of his leadership demeanor – his movements, how he occupied space, how he made eye contact – all forms of nonverbal communication. Of course, some people are born with natural leadership talent, but seeing Clinton made me realize that anyone can become a great leader by mastering the right skills.

Aaron: So she pays attention to nonverbal communication.

REINA: Even just with eye contact, the balance between tension and relaxation was incredible (laughs).

Aaron: That's impressive. I tend to show my true self when I get passionate, so I actually try not to put on a facade (laughs).

REINA: I think that's perfectly fine too. These days, leaders who don't hide themselves and sometimes even show their vulnerabilities are gaining support.

Aaron: I understand you also have experience consulting with professional talent in Japan. Having met various types of leaders, have you noticed any common challenges in leadership?

REINA: What I think many people commonly lack is assertiveness. Compared to leaders in the US or Europe, I feel the ability to express their own opinions and thoughts is still relatively weak. Then there's confidence. In the international community, it's desirable to be able to immediately answer when asked about your strengths, so in my previous role, I helped professionals build their self-affirmation skills.

Aaron: Do you think such leadership qualities can be acquired later in life through consultation or similar processes?

REINA: Yes, I believe it can be acquired. Since it's a skill, I think it can be developed through effort rather than relying solely on talent.

Aaron:Conversely, what do you perceive as uniquely Japanese strengths?

REINA: In a good way, their seriousness and professionalism. When I worked overseas, I encountered people who did work half-heartedly, left early, or just drank coffee all day without contributing. You don't see that much in Japan. Everyone approaches their work seriously and with a strong sense of responsibility. I think that's a strength unique to Japanese people.

Aaron: I see. Teams with serious, responsible members are strong. Finally, REINA, who's active in so many fields, what challenges do you want to take on next?

REINA: I've lived a truly chaotic life up until now, and I really love it—it feels like the real me. While I'm involved in space now, I've tackled various fields in the past, like entertainment, education, politics, and security. Moving forward, I want to keep challenging myself with new things wherever my curiosity leads me and continue living this chaotic life.

Aaron: We'll be cheering you on in your future chaotic life! Thank you so much!