DEAR CHARLEY:
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP78-06365A000500050017-5
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
K
Document Page Count:
4
Document Creation Date:
November 11, 2016
Document Release Date:
December 9, 1998
Sequence Number:
17
Case Number:
Publication Date:
December 27, 1960
Content Type:
LETTER
File:
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
CIA-RDP78-06365A000500050017-5.pdf | 237.63 KB |
Body:
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27 December 1960
25X1A9a
25X1A5a1
Administrative Office
The Back-of-the-Neck Club
Alpha Chapter
Dear Charley:
In accordance with my promise to forward some comments
even though late, I will make a stab at some of the specific comments
that you would like.
First, by way of a general statement, I found the experience
a most interesting and rewarding one. Even though it is somewhat
difficult to spell out specific values or benefits, I had then and still
have now, a good feeling about the entire exercise.
I have given considerable thought to whether or not the same
benefits could be accrued without the employment of or
any other outside expert. It is my conclusion that even though Joe
did not give magic formulas or positive answers, there was an over-
riding benefit in having him. The psychological effect of such a
personage is good. His firsthand knowledge and experience from
many cross-sections of industry and the national scene in general,
brought to our discussions a wide scope of experience. We were
also benefited in being able to get glimpses of non-Agency and even
non-Government problems through him. In addition to these aspects
the man does have a rare ability to provoke and stimulate deep and
penetrating analyses and maintain the interest and enthusiasm of a
group. Witness the complete and prompt attendance at all sessions,
the high degree of preparation by all participants and the seriousness
of the discussions.
I also found his summaries and interpretations most interesting
and effective. I do not see how any of the fellow Alphas will ever be
able to forget the full significance of his final recapitulatory statements
BOX NO. FLD NO.__DOC, r1n.L NO CHANGE
I 'IS 7n: TS S C BET. JUS'TZ?-
?`a S3OC. ~l -
IN CLASS/
NEXT REV IDA'f _t q-V
G s' fil.'~~T n -a : ORG G1 _11._0140R
N?. PGS..~
REV CLASS-I.L._11EV CoORD.______-A~TH: xx70-3
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25X1A9a
that a "s! rvi _i,s__always...cQm*runic@t ng and is always training's.
I believe that if this simple statement could be indelibly impressed
into the understanding of all managers within the Agency, tremendous
good would be bound to result.
Such statements and many of the other principles that were
given expression during the seminar may not be new, but I believe
that we undoubtedly all have new concepts and a fuller meaning,
and are a little bit closer to making these principles a part of our
daily activities. It is in this area that I think the benefits of such a
seminar must lie, and that it must also be recognized that specific
enumeration of good results can come only slowly if at all.
In my own instance, I am frequently conscious of applying the
type of analysis and resultant decisions as practiced during the
course. Again, we must all appreciate the fact that long experience,
habit and method of operation is not likely to be influened very
quickly nor will there be abrupt transitions to quite new or different
methods. Rather, it is a matter of a gradual assimilation into each
of our own methods those concepts learned at the seminar. To the
extent that we are from time to time conscious of lessons from the
seminar in our daily activities, this is possibly some measure of its
results and impact.
By way of specific comments on your questions, I have the
following:
1. Yes, I think the conference should be conducted again, and
I believe most of my arguments for this have been adequately dis-
cussed above.
2. At this particular time, I would see no benefit from changing
the composition of another group. I believe that to continue with the
same formula is most desirable.
3. I am dubious about the value of any change in substance or
method, though as an added exercise it may be_worth s_omgthi to
let each Can Group develop one actual live pending problem of one of
its members as a case for consideration by'the entire cIass. Ttf this
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25X1A9a
were to be tried, I would suggest that the assignment not be given
until after the final Can Groups were formed and the presentation
made during the last few days of the seminar. Another idea that
had occurred to me that I merely pass along and am not sure should
be recommended is that it may be useful to inject into the method after
,_
the first three days the idea of discussing parallels _betweel the.
I-arvard case and current pen n~ oblems of some of the partici-
pants. This might be done by having the Can Group prepare for a
morning or afternoon session, transfers or parallels between the
case discussed, the preceding session and current Agency problems.
My primary purpose in this suggestion is that a little of this type of
exercise may help to stimulate the individual transfer of case studies
to personal experience. This reaction, however, seems to be strongest
the first few days and by the second week most of the participants seem
less concerned about the direct applicability.
4. I have no suggestions for changing the administrative handling
of the conference which, in my opinion, was superbly done.
5. As my opening comments suggest, I have been more actively
conscious of the analyses of problems and the consideration of
important principles of management than previously. Numerous
practicable and gratifying by-products have been realized growing out
of the opportunity to meet senior personnel from other parts of the
Agency. Within the first week after our return three cases arose
where I was able to expedite a matter of business at hand by virtue
of the new friends and contacts made at the seminar. At this moment
another such is pending ancf here have been a number of other instances
in the interval. True, it may be said that such benefits could be
developed without so elaborate and costly a program. This, however,
is debatable because even this benefit is most effectively realized
through prolonged association of each others management concepts,
approach, personality, etc. A purely social outing or two weeks of
mutual study of some other subject such as geography, history, trade
craft or what have you, would not in my opinion facilitate this peripheral
benefit as effectively.
6. I believe that those benefits discussed in 5, above and in
the opening paragraphs will continue and will have long range value.
A c`onsfant and continuing awareness that as a manager one is always
communicating and training cannot do other than have long range
benefits and promote continuing growth.
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25X1A9a 4
7. I would like to see repetitions of the October seminar
and the formation of new club chapters continued until all senior
echelons are included. Further, I would like to recommend annual
25X1A5a1 reunio of each chapter. Incidentally, told me
that if the Alpha Chapter would have an annual reunion he would
25X1 A6a join us if invited. I would further like to encourage a seminar
at for the very top echelon of the Agency to include the
3 Director, the Deputy Directors and a few other senior officials to
examine the basic questions of the Agency's purpose, role and
community relationships and out of this give new and fresh enuncia-
tion of organizational goals, objectives, policy and direction, This
last suggestion is somewhat peripheral to the basic discussion but
is, I think, emphasized and supported by the results of our first
seminar.
With all good wishes for your continued success in this field
and with the reassurance of my willingness to provide any assistance
and support possible, I am
Sincerely yours,
25X1A9a
Executive (Dlticer
Scientific Intelligence
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