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The Future of Strategic Military Leadership | Murphy Danahy | TEDxWestPoint


so again thank you all for coming out I

so again thank you all for coming out I know it’s a Friday you know post Dean’s

know it’s a Friday you know post Dean’s

know it’s a Friday you know post Dean’s our had a lot of food in your stomach so

our had a lot of food in your stomach so

our had a lot of food in your stomach so thanks for spending the time here today

thanks for spending the time here today

thanks for spending the time here today and I’m looking forward to talking to

and I’m looking forward to talking to

and I’m looking forward to talking to you so my name is Murphy Dan hey and I’m

you so my name is Murphy Dan hey and I’m

you so my name is Murphy Dan hey and I’m going to be presenting today on the

going to be presenting today on the

going to be presenting today on the future of strategic leadership in a

future of strategic leadership in a

future of strategic leadership in a complex world so let’s get right into it

complex world so let’s get right into it

complex world so let’s get right into it the Army is in a crisis now this isn’t a

the Army is in a crisis now this isn’t a

the Army is in a crisis now this isn’t a crisis that you can necessarily see this

crisis that you can necessarily see this

crisis that you can necessarily see this isn’t a crisis that’s been accepted by

isn’t a crisis that’s been accepted by

isn’t a crisis that’s been accepted by everyone within the army but I believe

everyone within the army but I believe

everyone within the army but I believe it exists and let me tell you why so

it exists and let me tell you why so

it exists and let me tell you why so Iraq and Afghanistan we failed to live

Iraq and Afghanistan we failed to live

Iraq and Afghanistan we failed to live up to our full potential in Iraq and

up to our full potential in Iraq and

up to our full potential in Iraq and Afghanistan we failed to achieve the

Afghanistan we failed to achieve the

Afghanistan we failed to achieve the strategic objectives that we did have

strategic objectives that we did have

strategic objectives that we did have and even more importantly we really

and even more importantly we really

and even more importantly we really failed to define strategic objectives in

failed to define strategic objectives in

failed to define strategic objectives in a potent and powerful way we haven’t

a potent and powerful way we haven’t

a potent and powerful way we haven’t decisively won a war since World War two

decisively won a war since World War two

decisively won a war since World War two now I know some people might argue with

now I know some people might argue with

now I know some people might argue with this but if you really look at it the

this but if you really look at it the

this but if you really look at it the army of the past was a decisive fighting

army of the past was a decisive fighting

army of the past was a decisive fighting force that would close with and destroy

force that would close with and destroy

force that would close with and destroy the enemy it achieved its strategic

the enemy it achieved its strategic

the enemy it achieved its strategic objectives the army of today has if not

objectives the army of today has if not

objectives the army of today has if not failed to do so at least fail to live up

failed to do so at least fail to live up

failed to do so at least fail to live up to its full potential we’ve had

to its full potential we’ve had

to its full potential we’ve had difficulties with counter insurgency

difficulties with counter insurgency

difficulties with counter insurgency counter insurgency has been around for

counter insurgency has been around for

counter insurgency has been around for years and our own doctrine even in

years and our own doctrine even in

years and our own doctrine even in counterinsurgency we’ve really failed to

counterinsurgency we’ve really failed to

counterinsurgency we’ve really failed to live up to the full potential of that

live up to the full potential of that

live up to the full potential of that doctrine we fail to adapt to changing

doctrine we fail to adapt to changing

doctrine we fail to adapt to changing warfare and we’ve seen that again and

warfare and we’ve seen that again and

warfare and we’ve seen that again and again in Iraq and Afghanistan we have a

again in Iraq and Afghanistan we have a

again in Iraq and Afghanistan we have a hyper-inflated budget I’m aware of

hyper-inflated budget I’m aware of

hyper-inflated budget I’m aware of sequestration I know we’re cutting funds

sequestration I know we’re cutting funds

sequestration I know we’re cutting funds but the same time we still have so much

but the same time we still have so much

but the same time we still have so much money and yet it’s elite yielding to

money and yet it’s elite yielding to

money and yet it’s elite yielding to limited tangible results we keep

limited tangible results we keep

limited tangible results we keep spending it on the same things and we

spending it on the same things and we

spending it on the same things and we fail to innovate slow integration of

fail to innovate slow integration of

fail to innovate slow integration of cyber this is by our own admission we’ve

cyber this is by our own admission we’ve

cyber this is by our own admission we’ve really failed to integrate cyber were

really failed to integrate cyber were

really failed to integrate cyber were probably not the number one cyber nation

probably not the number one cyber nation

probably not the number one cyber nation in the world right now and that is a

in the world right now and that is a

in the world right now and that is a huge failure if you think about it

huge failure if you think about it

huge failure if you think about it because that’s the future of warfare

because that’s the future of warfare

because that’s the future of warfare right there

right there

right there Crimean annexation in tensions with

Crimean annexation in tensions with

Crimean annexation in tensions with Russia Russia was able to basically

Russia Russia was able to basically

Russia Russia was able to basically exert their will as a geopolitical force

exert their will as a geopolitical force

exert their will as a geopolitical force and we were able to do nothing

and we were able to do nothing

and we were able to do nothing now obviously that was had some

now obviously that was had some

now obviously that was had some political reasons but the army was

political reasons but the army was

political reasons but the army was unable to provide a tailored solution so

unable to provide a tailored solution so

unable to provide a tailored solution so that we could do something and I believe

that we could do something and I believe

that we could do something and I believe that that is a symptom of the United

that that is a symptom of the United

that that is a symptom of the United States people not trusting us and not

States people not trusting us and not

States people not trusting us and not trusting our ability to innovate and

trusting our ability to innovate and

trusting our ability to innovate and solve problems in this current landscape

solve problems in this current landscape

solve problems in this current landscape and of course again by the Army’s own

and of course again by the Army’s own

and of course again by the Army’s own admission we have manpower issues talent

admission we have manpower issues talent

admission we have manpower issues talent bleed we are losing our best officers

bleed we are losing our best officers

bleed we are losing our best officers every single year and they’re going

every single year and they’re going

every single year and they’re going places like fortune 500 companies

places like fortune 500 companies

places like fortune 500 companies they’re going to organizations that

they’re going to organizations that

they’re going to organizations that value their skills and this again has

value their skills and this again has

value their skills and this again has been admitted by the army and of course

been admitted by the army and of course

been admitted by the army and of course the rise of Isis we that that’s ongoing

the rise of Isis we that that’s ongoing

the rise of Isis we that that’s ongoing and I don’t think I need to say anything

and I don’t think I need to say anything

and I don’t think I need to say anything about that and the Army has deployed

about that and the Army has deployed

about that and the Army has deployed solutions but again we failed to provide

solutions but again we failed to provide

solutions but again we failed to provide the sort of solutions where we can see

the sort of solutions where we can see

the sort of solutions where we can see decisive victory this is a new

decisive victory this is a new

decisive victory this is a new phenomenon if this was just something

phenomenon if this was just something

phenomenon if this was just something that had been happening for the entirety

that had been happening for the entirety

that had been happening for the entirety of the Army’s history I wouldn’t be up

of the Army’s history I wouldn’t be up

of the Army’s history I wouldn’t be up here today I wouldn’t be saying anything

here today I wouldn’t be saying anything

here today I wouldn’t be saying anything but this is a new phenomenon this is

but this is a new phenomenon this is

but this is a new phenomenon this is something that we haven’t seen in the

something that we haven’t seen in the

something that we haven’t seen in the past because if you look at the past

past because if you look at the past

past because if you look at the past World War one in World War two we were

World War one in World War two we were

World War one in World War two we were experiencing decisive victory we were

experiencing decisive victory we were

experiencing decisive victory we were the most powerful military in the world

the most powerful military in the world

the most powerful military in the world by far and I mean we still are but we

by far and I mean we still are but we

by far and I mean we still are but we were achieving strategic objectives

were achieving strategic objectives

were achieving strategic objectives everywhere you looked

everywhere you looked

everywhere you looked our victory was something that you

our victory was something that you

our victory was something that you couldn’t deny but the modern era we’re

couldn’t deny but the modern era we’re

couldn’t deny but the modern era we’re looking at defeat and more importantly a

looking at defeat and more importantly a

looking at defeat and more importantly a lack of defined goals the army of today

lack of defined goals the army of today

lack of defined goals the army of today is floundering we’re failing to meet up

is floundering we’re failing to meet up

is floundering we’re failing to meet up to our full potential and why is that I

to our full potential and why is that I

to our full potential and why is that I believe that we’ve seen a paradigm shift

believe that we’ve seen a paradigm shift

believe that we’ve seen a paradigm shift post-world War two that’s gone

post-world War two that’s gone

post-world War two that’s gone unrecognized by our military and

unrecognized by our military and

unrecognized by our military and strategic leaders and because of that

strategic leaders and because of that

strategic leaders and because of that because of our failed to recognize it we

because of our failed to recognize it we

because of our failed to recognize it we fail to adapt and that is the real sin

fail to adapt and that is the real sin

fail to adapt and that is the real sin in this current landscape so what is it

in this current landscape so what is it

in this current landscape so what is it what changed because what we really have

what changed because what we really have

what changed because what we really have to do at this point is frame the problem

to do at this point is frame the problem

to do at this point is frame the problem we have to describe the problem if we

we have to describe the problem if we

we have to describe the problem if we ever want to solve it so tactics have

ever want to solve it so tactics have

ever want to solve it so tactics have saved the same that’s you know door

saved the same that’s you know door

saved the same that’s you know door kickers on the ground or tactics look

kickers on the ground or tactics look

kickers on the ground or tactics look very similar we haven’t changed a whole

very similar we haven’t changed a whole

very similar we haven’t changed a whole lot we have new technology but we’re

lot we have new technology but we’re

lot we have new technology but we’re doing the same thing there but what has

doing the same thing there but what has

doing the same thing there but what has changed which change profoundly is

changed which change profoundly is

changed which change profoundly is strategy that is you know the Army’s big

strategy that is you know the Army’s big

strategy that is you know the Army’s big large scale go

large scale go

large scale go that’s how the army operates the ideas

that’s how the army operates the ideas

that’s how the army operates the ideas behind it strategy has changed

behind it strategy has changed

behind it strategy has changed fundamentally

fundamentally

fundamentally and specifically strategic complexity

and specifically strategic complexity

and specifically strategic complexity has changed we’re dealing with a

has changed we’re dealing with a

has changed we’re dealing with a fundamentally different strategic

fundamentally different strategic

fundamentally different strategic landscape and we failed to recognize it

landscape and we failed to recognize it

landscape and we failed to recognize it we failed to do anything about it we

we failed to do anything about it we

we failed to do anything about it we failed to even say it happened now why

failed to even say it happened now why

failed to even say it happened now why do I say that well right here you can

do I say that well right here you can

do I say that well right here you can see some characteristics of strategy and

see some characteristics of strategy and

see some characteristics of strategy and previous eras compared to today and

previous eras compared to today and

previous eras compared to today and you’ll notice there’s a pretty

you’ll notice there’s a pretty

you’ll notice there’s a pretty significant differences in the previous

significant differences in the previous

significant differences in the previous area you’re dealing with maneuver units

area you’re dealing with maneuver units

area you’re dealing with maneuver units coordination of those units logistics

coordination of those units logistics

coordination of those units logistics and support but all these things they

and support but all these things they

and support but all these things they rely on the same principles they’re the

rely on the same principles they’re the

rely on the same principles they’re the same sort of tasks and they’re the same

same sort of tasks and they’re the same

same sort of tasks and they’re the same sort of tasks from and off the beginning

sort of tasks from and off the beginning

sort of tasks from and off the beginning of an officer’s career to the end but

of an officer’s career to the end but

of an officer’s career to the end but modern era strategy is so fundamentally

modern era strategy is so fundamentally

modern era strategy is so fundamentally different we’re looking at things like

different we’re looking at things like

different we’re looking at things like economic warfare cyber operations

economic warfare cyber operations

economic warfare cyber operations information operations nation-building

information operations nation-building

information operations nation-building peacekeeping and of course the

peacekeeping and of course the

peacekeeping and of course the ubiquitous cyber so this is just a

ubiquitous cyber so this is just a

ubiquitous cyber so this is just a fundamentally different type of strategy

fundamentally different type of strategy

fundamentally different type of strategy that we’re looking at but we’re treating

that we’re looking at but we’re treating

that we’re looking at but we’re treating it as the same old thing and even more

it as the same old thing and even more

it as the same old thing and even more importantly and perhaps something that’s

importantly and perhaps something that’s

importantly and perhaps something that’s even harder to pick out is in the past

even harder to pick out is in the past

even harder to pick out is in the past excuse-me tactics and strategy were very

excuse-me tactics and strategy were very

excuse-me tactics and strategy were very very similar they were practically you

very similar they were practically you

very similar they were practically you know extensions of each other because as

know extensions of each other because as

know extensions of each other because as an officer moved from the beginning of

an officer moved from the beginning of

an officer moved from the beginning of their career working in tactics to

their career working in tactics to

their career working in tactics to working in strategy they were basically

working in strategy they were basically

working in strategy they were basically just dealing with increases in the size

just dealing with increases in the size

just dealing with increases in the size of units so they’re leading larger and

of units so they’re leading larger and

of units so they’re leading larger and larger organizations but the principles

larger organizations but the principles

larger organizations but the principles remain the same and that actually did

remain the same and that actually did

remain the same and that actually did really great things for our army in the

really great things for our army in the

really great things for our army in the past but the modern era because strategy

past but the modern era because strategy

past but the modern era because strategy is now fundamentally different it’s just

is now fundamentally different it’s just

is now fundamentally different it’s just fundamentally more complex that bridge

fundamentally more complex that bridge

fundamentally more complex that bridge has been broken that link between

has been broken that link between

has been broken that link between tactics and strategy has just been

tactics and strategy has just been

tactics and strategy has just been shattered and now we’re looking at a

shattered and now we’re looking at a

shattered and now we’re looking at a fundamentally different mission set as

fundamentally different mission set as

fundamentally different mission set as you move from tactics to strategy and

you move from tactics to strategy and

you move from tactics to strategy and you’re looking at new principles and new

you’re looking at new principles and new

you’re looking at new principles and new problems and basically success of that

problems and basically success of that

problems and basically success of that tactical level is no longer predicting

tactical level is no longer predicting

tactical level is no longer predicting success of that strategic level because

success of that strategic level because

success of that strategic level because that bridge has been broken but we’re

that bridge has been broken but we’re

that bridge has been broken but we’re still expecting officers to go from one

still expecting officers to go from one

still expecting officers to go from one to another as if that bridge exists and

to another as if that bridge exists and

to another as if that bridge exists and it fit as if success and one will lead

it fit as if success and one will lead

it fit as if success and one will lead to success in another but that that’s

to success in another but that that’s

to success in another but that that’s just fallacious you can’t do that

just fallacious you can’t do that

just fallacious you can’t do that anymore

anymore

anymore now of course we’re

now of course we’re

now of course we’re the militaries of the question that

the militaries of the question that

the militaries of the question that everyone is probably asking is what

everyone is probably asking is what

everyone is probably asking is what training what experience what do you

training what experience what do you

training what experience what do you recommend

recommend

recommend right we’ve come out with a new FM we

right we’ve come out with a new FM we

right we’ve come out with a new FM we changed something up we put our general

changed something up we put our general

changed something up we put our general officers through a new course maybe

officers through a new course maybe

officers through a new course maybe create a new college for people to go

create a new college for people to go

create a new college for people to go through and I would say absolutely not

through and I would say absolutely not

through and I would say absolutely not this is not a function of training or

this is not a function of training or

this is not a function of training or experience and why do I say that because

experience and why do I say that because

experience and why do I say that because we’ve tried it this has been the last 20

we’ve tried it this has been the last 20

we’ve tried it this has been the last 20 years we have tried coming up with new

years we have tried coming up with new

years we have tried coming up with new ways to Train strategic leaders and it

ways to Train strategic leaders and it

ways to Train strategic leaders and it has failed resoundingly

has failed resoundingly

has failed resoundingly in all of those ways that you saw my

in all of those ways that you saw my

in all of those ways that you saw my first slide so why is that I propose

first slide so why is that I propose

first slide so why is that I propose something new I propose that this is a

something new I propose that this is a

something new I propose that this is a talent management problem we’re looking

talent management problem we’re looking

talent management problem we’re looking at a different kind of problem that

at a different kind of problem that

at a different kind of problem that needs a different kind of solution so

needs a different kind of solution so

needs a different kind of solution so what exactly what exactly am I talking

what exactly what exactly am I talking

what exactly what exactly am I talking about well if you look at organizational

about well if you look at organizational

about well if you look at organizational literature if you look at psychological

literature if you look at psychological

literature if you look at psychological literature if you look at literature on

literature if you look at literature on

literature if you look at literature on human performance what you tend to find

human performance what you tend to find

human performance what you tend to find is that people have enduring

is that people have enduring

is that people have enduring constellations of traits that are

constellations of traits that are

constellations of traits that are continuous across their entire life or

continuous across their entire life or

continuous across their entire life or more or less continuous these are very

more or less continuous these are very

more or less continuous these are very static concepts that each individual

static concepts that each individual

static concepts that each individual displays and specifically and this is

displays and specifically and this is

displays and specifically and this is based off of research and observation

based off of research and observation

based off of research and observation you have two types of people when it

you have two types of people when it

you have two types of people when it comes to kind of like solving problems

comes to kind of like solving problems

comes to kind of like solving problems and how people think about problems and

and how people think about problems and

and how people think about problems and I’ve labeled these people cognitively

I’ve labeled these people cognitively

I’ve labeled these people cognitively adaptable and cognitively conservative

adaptable and cognitively conservative

adaptable and cognitively conservative and these are fundamentally different

and these are fundamentally different

and these are fundamentally different types of people that exist in nature so

types of people that exist in nature so

types of people that exist in nature so let’s start on the left with cognitively

let’s start on the left with cognitively

let’s start on the left with cognitively adaptable these are individuals who are

adaptable these are individuals who are

adaptable these are individuals who are big-picture risk tolerant they tolerate

big-picture risk tolerant they tolerate

big-picture risk tolerant they tolerate complexity they’re quick learners and

complexity they’re quick learners and

complexity they’re quick learners and they’re systematic they have all these

they’re systematic they have all these

they’re systematic they have all these traits they’re enduring and they’re very

traits they’re enduring and they’re very

traits they’re enduring and they’re very easy to spot I mean I think if you think

easy to spot I mean I think if you think

easy to spot I mean I think if you think about your just general surroundings the

about your just general surroundings the

about your just general surroundings the people you work with I think you’ll

people you work with I think you’ll

people you work with I think you’ll recognize a few of these people on the

recognize a few of these people on the

recognize a few of these people on the right with cognitively conservative

right with cognitively conservative

right with cognitively conservative individuals you have individuals who

individuals you have individuals who

individuals you have individuals who have a local focus for risk mitigating

have a local focus for risk mitigating

have a local focus for risk mitigating very detail-oriented a word that the

very detail-oriented a word that the

very detail-oriented a word that the army loves to use learn through

army loves to use learn through

army loves to use learn through experience and they focus on their

experience and they focus on their

experience and they focus on their immediate environment now if you’ll

immediate environment now if you’ll

immediate environment now if you’ll notice these different descriptions of

notice these different descriptions of

notice these different descriptions of these people line up pretty nicely with

these people line up pretty nicely with

these people line up pretty nicely with different types of tasks on both the

different types of tasks on both the

different types of tasks on both the tactical and strategic level

tactical and strategic level

tactical and strategic level civically cognitively adaptable traits

civically cognitively adaptable traits

civically cognitively adaptable traits line up with the tasks they’re required

line up with the tasks they’re required

line up with the tasks they’re required of strategic leaders in the modern day

of strategic leaders in the modern day

of strategic leaders in the modern day and cognitively conservative traits line

and cognitively conservative traits line

and cognitively conservative traits line up with those requirements of tactical

up with those requirements of tactical

up with those requirements of tactical leaders and in the past the army has

leaders and in the past the army has

leaders and in the past the army has mostly relied on these cognitively

mostly relied on these cognitively

mostly relied on these cognitively conservative individuals and why is that

conservative individuals and why is that

conservative individuals and why is that well because cognitively conservative

well because cognitively conservative

well because cognitively conservative individuals embody everything that the

individuals embody everything that the

individuals embody everything that the Army is looking for in a tactical leader

Army is looking for in a tactical leader

Army is looking for in a tactical leader they are the epitome of a tactical

they are the epitome of a tactical

they are the epitome of a tactical leader and because that link between

leader and because that link between

leader and because that link between tactics and strategy used to exist we

tactics and strategy used to exist we

tactics and strategy used to exist we could just put these people through the

could just put these people through the

could just put these people through the pipeline they’d get to the top and they

pipeline they’d get to the top and they

pipeline they’d get to the top and they do fine because tactics and strategy

do fine because tactics and strategy

do fine because tactics and strategy weren’t that different so we never

weren’t that different so we never

weren’t that different so we never really move them out of their wheelhouse

really move them out of their wheelhouse

really move them out of their wheelhouse but the modern era were stretching these

but the modern era were stretching these

but the modern era were stretching these people we’re stretching them with this

people we’re stretching them with this

people we’re stretching them with this new form of strategy and we’re

new form of strategy and we’re

new form of strategy and we’re stretching them too far and they’re

stretching them too far and they’re

stretching them too far and they’re breaking so just to kind of illustrate

breaking so just to kind of illustrate

breaking so just to kind of illustrate this point if you look at our current

this point if you look at our current

this point if you look at our current per career progression you’re moving

per career progression you’re moving

per career progression you’re moving basically from the company level and

basically from the company level and

basically from the company level and then you’re moving up to general officer

then you’re moving up to general officer

then you’re moving up to general officer where you’re influencing strategy you

where you’re influencing strategy you

where you’re influencing strategy you know where you’re working on those very

know where you’re working on those very

know where you’re working on those very big picture ideas so if you have these

big picture ideas so if you have these

big picture ideas so if you have these two different types of people and they

two different types of people and they

two different types of people and they both join the army as officers what

both join the army as officers what

both join the army as officers what you’re going to end up finding is that

you’re going to end up finding is that

you’re going to end up finding is that cognitively conservative people are

cognitively conservative people are

cognitively conservative people are going to succeed on that tactical level

going to succeed on that tactical level

going to succeed on that tactical level because they are naturally tactical

because they are naturally tactical

because they are naturally tactical they’re naturally inclined to tactical

they’re naturally inclined to tactical

they’re naturally inclined to tactical tasks and they’re going to easily move

tasks and they’re going to easily move

tasks and they’re going to easily move up the ranks the general officer once

up the ranks the general officer once

up the ranks the general officer once they get the general officer they’re

they get the general officer they’re

they get the general officer they’re very much outside their wheelhouse so

very much outside their wheelhouse so

very much outside their wheelhouse so they are going to begin to fail in very

they are going to begin to fail in very

they are going to begin to fail in very noticeable ways these cognitively

noticeable ways these cognitively

noticeable ways these cognitively adaptable people now they may not fail

adaptable people now they may not fail

adaptable people now they may not fail at the tactical level but what you’re

at the tactical level but what you’re

at the tactical level but what you’re going to generally see is they’re going

going to generally see is they’re going

going to generally see is they’re going to find that it’s outside of their

to find that it’s outside of their

to find that it’s outside of their natural abilities and they’re either

natural abilities and they’re either

natural abilities and they’re either going to find a way to get out of the

going to find a way to get out of the

going to find a way to get out of the army because they’re not experiencing

army because they’re not experiencing

army because they’re not experiencing resounding success or they’re going to

resounding success or they’re going to

resounding success or they’re going to go into things like functional areas so

go into things like functional areas so

go into things like functional areas so these individuals are basically being

these individuals are basically being

these individuals are basically being weeded out of the progression to general

weeded out of the progression to general

weeded out of the progression to general officer very early on in their careers

officer very early on in their careers

officer very early on in their careers so they’re never able to get to a point

so they’re never able to get to a point

so they’re never able to get to a point where they are working on the things

where they are working on the things

where they are working on the things that they’re naturally good at they’re

that they’re naturally good at they’re

that they’re naturally good at they’re never able to influence strategy so what

never able to influence strategy so what

never able to influence strategy so what are the solutions because we need these

are the solutions because we need these

are the solutions because we need these naturally inclined strategic leaders at

naturally inclined strategic leaders at

naturally inclined strategic leaders at the strategic level we need them to

the strategic level we need them to

the strategic level we need them to solve the complex problems of today but

solve the complex problems of today but

solve the complex problems of today but our current career progression it’s not

our current career progression it’s not

our current career progression it’s not set up for that well I recommend

set up for that well I recommend

set up for that well I recommend something that I like to call the split

something that I like to call the split

something that I like to call the split track model

track model

track model so essentially what this does is it

so essentially what this does is it

so essentially what this does is it allows it’s a talent management device

allows it’s a talent management device

allows it’s a talent management device that allows individuals to work on what

that allows individuals to work on what

that allows individuals to work on what they’re good at

they’re good at

they’re good at in each and every part of their career

in each and every part of their career

in each and every part of their career from the beginning to the end they’re

from the beginning to the end they’re

from the beginning to the end they’re working on things that they are

working on things that they are

working on things that they are naturally inclined to so as you can see

naturally inclined to so as you can see

naturally inclined to so as you can see cognitively conservative people what I

cognitively conservative people what I

cognitively conservative people what I basically did was I modeled their career

basically did was I modeled their career

basically did was I modeled their career path on what used to work in World War

path on what used to work in World War

path on what used to work in World War one in World War two I did so

one in World War two I did so

one in World War two I did so artificially so they’re just moving from

artificially so they’re just moving from

artificially so they’re just moving from the tactical level into larger and

the tactical level into larger and

the tactical level into larger and larger units leading larger and larger

larger units leading larger and larger

larger units leading larger and larger units with larger and larger tasks

units with larger and larger tasks

units with larger and larger tasks basically but it’s very similar to what

basically but it’s very similar to what

basically but it’s very similar to what they were originally doing in World War

they were originally doing in World War

they were originally doing in World War two before we saw this change in

two before we saw this change in

two before we saw this change in strategy whereas cognitively adaptable

strategy whereas cognitively adaptable

strategy whereas cognitively adaptable people now at the company level we’re

people now at the company level we’re

people now at the company level we’re putting them in strategic positions

putting them in strategic positions

putting them in strategic positions we’re allowing them to work on strategy

we’re allowing them to work on strategy

we’re allowing them to work on strategy because we’ve divested the concept of

because we’ve divested the concept of

because we’ve divested the concept of general officer from the concept of

general officer from the concept of

general officer from the concept of strategy excuse me strategy we’ve said

strategy excuse me strategy we’ve said

strategy excuse me strategy we’ve said why why does there need to be that

why why does there need to be that

why why does there need to be that length there shouldn’t be the people who

length there shouldn’t be the people who

length there shouldn’t be the people who are good at it should be working on it

are good at it should be working on it

are good at it should be working on it and their career path basically they

and their career path basically they

and their career path basically they just move from working on strategy to

just move from working on strategy to

just move from working on strategy to working on more and more complex

working on more and more complex

working on more and more complex strategy where they can make more and

strategy where they can make more and

strategy where they can make more and more of a difference we maintain the

more of a difference we maintain the

more of a difference we maintain the rank structure but we kind of break it

rank structure but we kind of break it

rank structure but we kind of break it up we separate some ideas from each

up we separate some ideas from each

up we separate some ideas from each other and as you can see basically what

other and as you can see basically what

other and as you can see basically what these this does is you allow people who

these this does is you allow people who

these this does is you allow people who have both of these skill sets to get to

have both of these skill sets to get to

have both of these skill sets to get to the highest levels and succeed and make

the highest levels and succeed and make

the highest levels and succeed and make a difference in the army and of course

a difference in the army and of course

a difference in the army and of course because it’s the army they need to have

because it’s the army they need to have

because it’s the army they need to have the ability to move to learn new things

the ability to move to learn new things

the ability to move to learn new things to experience other the other career

to experience other the other career

to experience other the other career paths in a sense but the goal behind it

paths in a sense but the goal behind it

paths in a sense but the goal behind it is managing talent and making sure

is managing talent and making sure

is managing talent and making sure they’re working on what they’re good at

they’re working on what they’re good at

they’re working on what they’re good at consistently throughout their career

consistently throughout their career

consistently throughout their career timeline now what about West Point

timeline now what about West Point

timeline now what about West Point because everyone here is thinking great

because everyone here is thinking great

because everyone here is thinking great you know big army good makes sense I’m

you know big army good makes sense I’m

you know big army good makes sense I’m not a general I can’t do this right now

not a general I can’t do this right now

not a general I can’t do this right now what about West Point well my

what about West Point well my

what about West Point well my proposition is that these cognitively

proposition is that these cognitively

proposition is that these cognitively adaptable people right here they’re not

adaptable people right here they’re not

adaptable people right here they’re not even making it through a session sources

even making it through a session sources

even making it through a session sources they’re not even getting into the big

they’re not even getting into the big

they’re not even getting into the big army as officers yet because what

army as officers yet because what

army as officers yet because what happens is these cognitively

happens is these cognitively

happens is these cognitively conservative people they’re looking at

conservative people they’re looking at

conservative people they’re looking at accession sources which are very much

accession sources which are very much

accession sources which are very much modeled on producing tactical combat

modeled on producing tactical combat

modeled on producing tactical combat leaders and they’re saying hey I’m

leaders and they’re saying hey I’m

leaders and they’re saying hey I’m rated this this is awesome this is super

rated this this is awesome this is super

rated this this is awesome this is super fun and they make it out to the real

fun and they make it out to the real

fun and they make it out to the real army no problem where they go on to

army no problem where they go on to

army no problem where they go on to succeed attacked it at the tactical

succeed attacked it at the tactical

succeed attacked it at the tactical level the operational level and they

level the operational level and they

level the operational level and they move on to the strategic level zero

move on to the strategic level zero

move on to the strategic level zero issues and they’re at the strategic

issues and they’re at the strategic

issues and they’re at the strategic level they begin to fail resounding ly

level they begin to fail resounding ly

level they begin to fail resounding ly then you have these cognitively

then you have these cognitively

then you have these cognitively adaptable people who are like I am not

adaptable people who are like I am not

adaptable people who are like I am not good at this why don’t I just go do

good at this why don’t I just go do

good at this why don’t I just go do something else they go on to work for

something else they go on to work for

something else they go on to work for the NSA for the State Department and we

the NSA for the State Department and we

the NSA for the State Department and we immediately lose that talent it is not

immediately lose that talent it is not

immediately lose that talent it is not even in our talent well we do not have

even in our talent well we do not have

even in our talent well we do not have access to that talent because our

access to that talent because our

access to that talent because our accession sources are weeding them out

accession sources are weeding them out

accession sources are weeding them out with those three words tactical combat

with those three words tactical combat

with those three words tactical combat leaders so to sum up to very quickly sum

leaders so to sum up to very quickly sum

leaders so to sum up to very quickly sum up tactical leadership success in the

up tactical leadership success in the

up tactical leadership success in the modern era does not necessarily mean

modern era does not necessarily mean

modern era does not necessarily mean strategic leadership success there’s no

strategic leadership success there’s no

strategic leadership success there’s no longer that bridge one does not imply

longer that bridge one does not imply

longer that bridge one does not imply the other and that’s a change that’s a

the other and that’s a change that’s a

the other and that’s a change that’s a change that we’ve seen in the modern era

change that we’ve seen in the modern era

change that we’ve seen in the modern era and yet we’re continuing to act like

and yet we’re continuing to act like

and yet we’re continuing to act like that bridge exists we are failing to

that bridge exists we are failing to

that bridge exists we are failing to adapt and to innovate in a changing

adapt and to innovate in a changing

adapt and to innovate in a changing battlefield and in doing so we are

battlefield and in doing so we are

battlefield and in doing so we are failing future generations we are giving

failing future generations we are giving

failing future generations we are giving future generations an army that cannot

future generations an army that cannot

future generations an army that cannot adapt for the problems that they will

adapt for the problems that they will

adapt for the problems that they will experience and that are is not going to

experience and that are is not going to

experience and that are is not going to be able to win the nation’s Wars and

be able to win the nation’s Wars and

be able to win the nation’s Wars and that’s a huge issue because we need an

that’s a huge issue because we need an

that’s a huge issue because we need an army that can improve the nation’s

army that can improve the nation’s

army that can improve the nation’s national and international security

national and international security

national and international security that’s our only mission if we’re failing

that’s our only mission if we’re failing

that’s our only mission if we’re failing to do that we’re failing everything and

to do that we’re failing everything and

to do that we’re failing everything and we’re currently failing to do that again

we’re currently failing to do that again

we’re currently failing to do that again that’s our only mission it’s not

that’s our only mission it’s not

that’s our only mission it’s not tradition it’s not preserving the past

tradition it’s not preserving the past

tradition it’s not preserving the past we need to adapt because the harsh

we need to adapt because the harsh

we need to adapt because the harsh reality of the modern battlefield is and

reality of the modern battlefield is and

reality of the modern battlefield is and especially in the Army we innovate we

especially in the Army we innovate we

especially in the Army we innovate we become better we become stronger or we

become better we become stronger or we

become better we become stronger or we die

die

die quite literally in many senses so thank

quite literally in many senses so thank

quite literally in many senses so thank you I’m sorry to end on that note but I

you I’m sorry to end on that note but I

you I’m sorry to end on that note but I feel like it’s necessary so thank you

feel like it’s necessary so thank you

feel like it’s necessary so thank you all for coming today and can we get a

all for coming today and can we get a

all for coming today and can we get a big hand just real quickly for Rio who

big hand just real quickly for Rio who

big hand just real quickly for Rio who organized all this he’s just been

organized all this he’s just been

organized all this he’s just been absolutely amazing to work with them

absolutely amazing to work with them

absolutely amazing to work with them appreciate

it’s been wonderful talking y’all

it’s been wonderful talking y’all [Applause]

”

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