Coup d’œil Unveiled: Navigating Complexity from Battlefields
to the Gridiron

By Sarah Bencie and Lee Green, III

Today’s leaders are always pontificating about strategy. And, why not? Strategy comes from the Greek word, “stratego,” which means “army leader.” Unfortunately, it’s never as easy as it looks. Perhaps Jack Welch, the late CEO of GE, said it best when he noted that, “80% of people are tactical, 18% are strategic, and only 2% are both.” Despite the word strategy being over-used and seemingly ubiquitous with any-and-all things business, military, or sports related these days, the term only became familiar to us since the 1800s. Even more misunderstood than strategy, is the magical ingredient which seems to separate the good from the great. The winners from the losers. And, those indelible heroes known as NFL quarterbacks, who repeatedly lead their teams to victory in the final two minutes of a crucial football game. That secret sauce which the greatest strategists seem to possess is known as “Coup d’œil.”

In the intricate ballet of military strategy, the concept of “Coup d’œil” – which literally translates to a “stroke of intuition or genius” - emerges as a commanding force. Inspired by military luminary Carl Von Clausewitz, “Coup d’œil” has been a guiding light for leaders navigating the tumultuous waters of history, from Napoleon’s glory days to the intricate landscapes of modern warfare. It has also made a contemporary impact on the football field, where elite quarterbacks like Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes have employed...