SDSU Factors that Distinguish Intelligence Organizations Discussion and Responses
Identify at least three factors or characteristics that you believe distinguish intelligence organizations. Briefly explain why and how you think each factor youve chosen might affect how to lead intelligence organizations. As part of your comments, indicate whether/to what extent/how these factors apply to non-governmental organizations outside of government (i.e., private sector elements performing intelligence functions for their sponsoring organizations rather than in support of governmental entities). comment on one of my peers writingAccording to the Harvard Business School, there are six main leadership characteristics that define a good leader. They are:The ability to influence othersTransparency- to an extentEncourage risk takingIntegrity and accountabilityActing decisivelyDemonstrating resilienceOf these six leadership characteristics, I would argue that the three that are most impactful in leading an intelligence organization are transparency, integrity and accountability, and acting decisively.Transparency- This leadership characteristic in an IC organization is so important because IC organizations work on taxpayer dollars. The taxpayers need to know that their hard-earned money is going to good use. Whether it be based on combating domestic terrorism, or stopping the next world war, the US people deserve to know the job is being done. Thats not to say that all of the nitty gritty details need to be shared to the extent that sources are compromised, but rather the 30,000-foot level understanding.Integrity and Accountability- This characteristic is important because if you do not have the backing of the government and its people, then you lose faith and therefore good standing. If you arent doing the right thing from the beginning, then what tends to occur is the boy who cried wolf scenario.Acting Decisively- This is so important because if you hesitate in the IC lives could be in danger. I once had a Drill Sergeant in basic combat training tell me, A bad decision made in time is better than a good decision made too late. I think this is all too true in intelligence, if you have enough information to enact change and decide a better outcome then you cannot waste your opportunity.Im not too convinced that these three leadership characteristics I chose extend too far into the private sector. Private companies are usually not as transparent because they do not want to give away trade secrets of proprietary work. The only accountability private companies have are to the shareholders. However, I do believe that acting decisively does extend to the private enterprise. If you do not act decisively you usually lose the competitive edge.
