EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FORUM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88G01332R000300310016-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 22, 2011
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: July 14, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

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ROUTING AND RECORD SNIT
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14 Jueg 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Administration
SUBJECT:
Director Ot raining and Education
Executive Leadership Forum
1. I want to express my appreciation for the important
contributions you have made to the Executive Leadership Forum. Your
views on the role of a leader in the Agency and the responsibilities
of newly appointed Senior Intelligence Service officers were
extremely helpful and valuable to the participants. Your
presentation set the appropriate tone for the Forum and reinforced
the concepts and information that followed.
2. I am grateful for the time and effort devoted to this
endeavor and hope you will be willing to participate in future
runnings of the Forum.
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2 July 1986
MEMORANDIM FOR: Director for Training and Education
FROM: Executive Leadership Forum Staff
SUBJECT: Evaluation of the Fifth Running of the Executive
Leadership Forum
1. The fifth running of t
(ELF-5) met from 24-27 June at
Th his was clearly he most successful
of the five runnings as measured by universal student enthusiasm
for the qQntinuation of the ELF program and student evaluations
of its content and presentation. We believe this success is due
to two factors. First, the participation of top Agency
management was decisive. Second,-because OTE weeded out a few
less suitable candidates beforehand, this class of twelve men and
one woman was more homogenous than previous ELF groups.
2. Twelve of the thirteen students turned in written
evaluations all of which said that:
-ELF was on target; one said close.
-They would send their subordinates to the course; a few said
all new SISers should attend.
-We had set the right objectives for ELF; several suggested
adding another along the lines of providing an opportunity to
meet with top CIA executives and discuss Agency issues with them.
-ELF met its objectives; some said to varying degrees.
-Participation of top Agency management is indispensable;
most strongly urged DDO participation.
3. In order to reflect the full flavor of the evaluations,
the attachment to this memorandum provides slightly edited
versions of all the students comments on seven topics about the
course. We have presented these comments by directorate
beginning with a brief summary of the participant's background in
order to examine its possible relationship to his comments. At
the end of the attachment we have included a special section on
the students' views of each of the psychological assessors who
provided one-on-one feedback.
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Student Comments on Fifth Running of Executive Leadership Forum
DIRECTORATE OF ADMINISTRATION
DA; 43 years old; 13+ years in CIA; no CIA overseas service;
Doctorate; served in 2 directorates in last 10 years.
1. ELF met objectives.
-Would give hssessment and related portions a 4 on a 5-point
scale; needs to be made more relevant to the leadership process.
-Networking is a nice outgrowth, but likely to get it in any
activity such as this.
-Would be more useful if we could find a way to explain how
leadership variables will impact on individual's performance as a
leader/manager.
2. ELf has right objectives.
-Should add objective of making new SISers aware of key
issues confronting CIA in next few years. Would give course 5
out of 5 if this added and DDO participated.
-Would add an objective on external speakers, like exploring
what it is to manage/lead in other environments.
3. I would send my subordinates to ELF.
-Gives time to pause, reassess and reflect on what could have
profound impact on careers.
4. High lights of the week-were:
-Interaction with fellow students.
-Psychological assessments.
-Talks with Agency leaders.
-Briefing on the Agency personnel security problems.
-Panel of outside executives.
5. There were few low points for me. No major criticisms, it
went well, but:
-Tuesday afternoon was a bit slow; some redundancy.
-Iacocca film should be edited down to 20-30 minutes.
6. This course is very close to what is needed.
Accomplished minor miracle by turning around a few (negative)
attitudes. Tough job, Jo, Linda, and Ed did well.
7. Other comments include: "
-Senior management representation is essential. It provides
an opportunity to infuse new leadership with the message that you
count in CIA. Without senior management participation, it is a
hollow message.
-Faculty was outstanding for ELF; struck the right mood.
-Length of course is about right.
DA; 46+ years old; 28- years in CIA; 5+ years of CIA overseas
service; Bachelor's degree; served in 2 directorates in last 10
years; took POCM.
1. Course met its objectives to varying degrees.
-There was sufficient data to assess some of the current
strengths and weaknesses, but due to time limitation mostly on
the surface but not superficial.
-Provided some personal insights into effectiveness as
leaders, but again time limitations.
-Emphatically met networking objective.
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-Emphatically met objective of role of leader largely though
sessions with senior officers.
-Sessions with Agency executives provided understanding of
sources pf executive successes and failures.
-ProArided particular insights into development of myself and
subordinates to assume leadership roles. "Leadership and
learning go together" has now become my personal credo.
2. The objectives were right. Could use a little more emphasis
on the interrelationship among objectives.
3. I would send my subordinates to ELF.
4. High lights of the week were:
-Sessions with senior agency officers.
5. Low lights of the week were:
-Though adequate for me who has had POCM, session with
assessor& deserve more work for those who have not had it.
6. ELF is`~best type of course for new SISers.
7. Other comments include:
-Agency is going in the right direction to train SISers and
to emphasize difference between GS-15 and SIS.
-ELF rightly fulfills the need for a "right of passage" for
new SISers.
-I leave ELF with a much better sense of added responsibility
DA; 47+ years old; 23- years in CIA; 8+ years of CIA overseas
service; Bachelor's degree; served in 1 directorate in last 10
years; took POCM.
1. ELF met its objectives.
2. ELF has the right objectives. I would add one more on the
opportunity to meet top Agency management and discuss leadership
issues with them.
3. I definitely intend to send qualified subordinates to ELF.
4. High lights of the week were:
-Participation of DDCI, DDA, and DDS&T
-Round table of outside CEOs.
-Self-managing teams on an important Agency problem.
5. Low points were few and include:
-Red/Green and Turnaround are not realistic enough.
6. Agency needs a course 11-ke ELF.
7. Other comments include:
-My hat goes off to the course directors
-The feed-back sessions with professional assessors are
valuable.
DA; 52+ years old; 26- years in CIA; 6 months of CIA overseas
service; Bachelor's degree; served in 2 directorates in last 10
years.
1. The course objectives were fully attained.
2. The ELF objects are right.
3. I would most definitely recommend that new SISers attend ELF.
4. High lights of the week were:
-The personal participation of the DDCI, DDA and DDS&T.
-The round table of outside CEOs.
-The sessions with professional assessors.
5. The low point was the role playing aspect of the games.
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6. ELF is very much on track. Overall it is the best course for
the purpose.
7. Other comments include:
-The individual assessment is a vital part of the program.
-Suggest that all directorates (i.e. DDO) be required to
participate in future ELFs.
-Might reduqed the number in the round table of outside CEOs.
DI; 40+ years old; 16+ years in CIA; 5 months of CIA overseas
service; Bachelor's degree; served in 1 directorate in last 10
years; took POCM.
1. Course objectives are overstated.
2. Add a1 an objective "Exposure to top Agency executives from
all directorates" and would force DDO participation.
3. Recommend SISers take ELF, but some other courses first.
4. High lights of the week were:
5.
-Remarkable openness shown
-Personal assessment phase
Low lights was lack of DDO
by Agency leaders.
of the course.
participation.
6.
The course is on track.
7.
Other comments include:
-ELF is (I think correctly) a continuation of other
introspective courses:,, such as POCM. It is an excellent reminder
that we are managers..
-If there is a weakness it was in the "future development of
subordinates" objective.
-Panel of outside CEOs should be reduced to 2 or even 1.
-I was surprised at the successful outcome of the course
given all the-adverse prior publicity. It was a week well spent.
-Assessment phase was less clinical and intimidating than
POCM and more real-world useful.
-Length of session with assessors should be increased from 60
to 90 minutes.
DI; 43+ years old; 13+ years in CIA; 2+ months of CIA overseas
service; Doctorate; served-in 2 directorates in last 10 years;
took POCM.
1. Met strength and weaknesses object well. Although some
overlap with POCM, enough time had passed so that it was useful.
3. Would send my subordinates to ELF.
4. High lights of week were all Agency speakers. Senior
management participation shows new SISer they have arrived and
are worth or management's time.
obviously took time to prepare extensive thoughts.
- Donnelly exemplifies as well as preaches leadership.
-Varied approach of Ev and Bob was good.
-Enjoyed 3 to 4 hours of private talks with Ed about
historical development of analysis, people, etc.
5. My one minor criticism is that we were not told to study the
Grindtown exercise beforehand. I was not prepared and therefore
was a quiet participant.
6. Course is basically on track.
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-Liked the course
.pasiv liurs and its balanced
mixture
generalized stening and active participation;
of activities:
formal content and individual ssesm
together activities assessment;
-Of particular value was with unstructured time.
personality, ambition oPPortunit
-Size y, situation y to reflect about m
?.Other group was good. ' etc' in talks and execises,?wn
comments include:
-manager et add another outside speaker to
Me ht add s. reinforce leader -Maybe outside CEOs vs
-Linda and J0 roles should speak as singletons.
n the
n the background rather well done.
i Often listenin
us of than at g, or
remi themes, and reinforcing; but keeping ganizing,
Ifocus,
DI ? 49+ ears
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ears r 1+ ears
ee' served of CIA overseas
1? ELF
met In 2 directorate in last 10
its Objectives , Particularly in establishing of senior executive leadership arl
xecutive Agency managers and role through a network
success and failure?understandin the use
2. These are the right g Potential
executive leadership. objectives sources of
s
3 for an introductory course on
take ELF. encourage MY subordinates
? High lights of and newly promoted SISers to
-Sessions the week were:
Hineman's with senior Agency managers;
.
next. Donnell,
-The exercise on y s first and
-The exercise on Personnel security.
5. One low light and ineffective
Agency 6. ELF i on was the Red/Green
s
7. Other track. exercise. leaders.
comments include:
-The sessions on successful
need -The be sster executives
to t
structured and lessons learned
-All deputy directors
-Reduce the number of should Participate
Pate
panel of CEOs from 3 to 2. 44 OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE
Do' =-
ears
?ld'
_
18+ ears
service
service de Tee- in CIA. 10_
ears. served in one ears of CIA overseas
1? Course met all of its directorate in last 10
rse met o
bjectives
g: Excellent. to various degrees:
-Assessing strengths and weaknesse
-Analysis of
f
s:
e
fectiveness
ershis leaders:
embodied in Good
presentations b P role: very good, especially
-Future
re development of by Donnell as
-Under den n self and subordinateSneman
I would unhesi~atonrles of success Good.
4
? High and failure: Good.
lights of the week were:
subordinates.
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-Presentations by Hineman, Donnelly and Gates;
-Round table with outside CEOs;
-Team problem on personnel security;
-Feedback from assessors, last only because it gave me
nothing knew.
5. Week had no serious low points.
-Presentation on success and failure were the least strong
elements of the course.
6. Course definitely "on track". I found course impressive.
-Absence of senior DO representation is a problem that must
be solved. I shall talk to ADDO and tell him to expect a call
from OTE.
7. Other comments include:
-Good opportunity to interact with first-rate officers from
other di ectorates;
-I led getting first-hand views of senior agency officers
on the problems facing us and how to tackle these problems.
-I hope to be more effective in my next assignment as a
result of ELF.
-Both Linda and Jo were unfailingly cheerful, polite and
helpful. They deserve great credit for making the course a
success.
DO; Age 44- years; 16+ years in CIA; no CIA overseas service;
Bachelor's degree; had POCM and took Harvard management course.
1. Met course objective in various degrees:
-Assess current strengths and weaknesses: Yes.
-Analyze own effectiveness as leader: Partially.
-Establish network of peers: Partially.
-Explore executive leadership role: Yes.
-Understanding sources for success and failure: Partially.
-Future development of self and subordinates: Yes but more
needed.
-Understand current & future leadership problems in CIA: Yes.
Note: "Partially" ratings are more a comment on what would be
desirable, time permitting.
2. ELF has right object.ives., Should add last objective (above)
to list.
3. I would send my subordinates to ELF. It serves to refocus a
person's thinking about himself and the institution.
4-Hight lights of the week were:
-Discussion with deputy directors,
-Feedback from assessors,
-Successful executives and lessons learned,
-Social interaction with colleagues,
-Chance to think and reflect,
-Round table with corporate CEOs.
5. Although I had no strong feelings regarding low lights, the
following topics need more work:
-Executives as leaders (include readings from professional
periodicals: e.g., Harvard Business Review; Burns' Leadership),
.More in-depth examination of attributes common among
leaders in military, government and business.
-Successful executives--Need to look at Agency culture in
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some detail and analyze why some people derail.
6. I think this is the best course and it is on track. Good for
broadening the view of our emerging leadership.
7. Other comments include:
-Suggest more study/analysis/discussion of actual Agency
leadership cases;
-Might ask each participant to describe a leadership
issue/problem/case for class discussion.
-Group athletic event to help getting to know each other.
-Need to assure that DDO also appears at future ELF. This is
very important.
-Good location, good accommodations and good pace.
S&T; 46- years old; 19+ years in CIA; 3+ years of CIA overseas
service; Served in 2 directorates in last 10 years.
1. ELF met its objectives
2. ELF objectives were "satisfactory".
3. Every SIS officer should attend ELF.
4. No particular high lights.
5. No particular low lights.
6. Course was "right on". Might increase the pace a little.
7. Other comments include:
-I liked the course and learned a number of things.
-It provided opportunities:
.to stop, take a look at myself and my colleagues, and to
broaden my goals.
.to watch others, their styles, their presence.
-Networking was valuable.
-I confirmed my assessment of myself.
-Round table of outsiders should be limited to two people.
-Suggest adding CEO of non-profit organization.
-I was disappointed that the DDO did not participate.
-Behavioral/social issues are always difficult for
engineers. These were addressed at the appropriate level.
S&T; 46+ years old; 18- years in CIA; 3+ years of CIA overseas
service; Bachelor's degree; served in 1 directorate in last 10
years.
1. ELF met its objectives.
2. ELF has right objectives.
-Might have each participant discuss problems he faces to
discuss solutions to those that are common.
3. I would send my subordinates to ELF; it is worthwhile.
4. High lights of the week were:
-Meeting with senior Agency managers.
-Networking.
-Meeting with business leaders.
5. Low point of the week was role playing exercises ; they make
me uncomfortable, particularly last day's exercise.
6. This is a good course; with the following minor changes could
be great:
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-A little more free time for networking
-Reduce size of outside CEO panel to 2.
-Eliminate role playing.
-Adding discussions on any problems common to the group.
7. Othericomments include:
-Negative feedback I heard before arriving was not justified.
-Senior management participation was important, even vital,
in establishing the credibility of ELF. Get DDO participation.
NIESO; 45+ years old; 19+ years in CIA; 4- years of CIA overseas
service; Master's degree; served in 3 directorates in last 10
years.
1. ELF met its objectives.
2. ELF oectives are right.
3. I would send my subordinates to ELF.
4. High lights of the week were discussions with Agency leaders
and those from the outside provided insights into the leadership
role. Please tell deputy directors that without their presence,
ELF would have been less valuable.
5. Low light of the week was Red/Green exercise. I am still not
sure of its purpose or benefit.
6. ELF is definitely on the right track.
7. Other comments include:
-ELF gave us a rare opportunity to interact with peers from
other directorates.
-ELF was pleasing growth experience; thanks for the
opportunity to experience it.
-We should have been told before course started that we would
meet with Executive Director on following Monday so that we would
not schedule other activities for that time.
Student Comments on Psychological Assessors
On Berney
Did good professional job.
Quite good, attentive,.?good listener and sounding board.
Appropriately cautious, low key and impersonal.
I didn't learn anything new, but this was expected because I
have good grasp of my strengths and weaknesses.
Very helpful on my questions about group dynamics.
On Mills
Did a good job; would grade him a solid B.
Confirmed my assessment of myself.
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On Sullivan
Found session invaluable.
Was professional and did a good job.
Knowledgeable about test instruments.
Assessment should be useful to me in the future.
On Cuje
Offered very useful advice on how a woman copes in a man's
world of management and how to deal with stress.
On Kelly
Open, extremely bright, communicative and encouraged dialog.
Put me at ease and offered valuable insights and
interpretations about me.
Responsive to questions.
Was Ns frank about my weaknesses as my strengths.
Very effective and put me at ease.
Presents findings convincingly.
Negotiates a free and easy dialog.
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