Lessons Learned From #GeoInt2015

In 2011 I attended my first GeoInt Symposium. Those who know me well know that single conference changed the trajectory of my career. But even more than that singular event, what has struck me is that every year my experiences at GeoInt manage to build on each other in ways I can never anticipate. I always seem to learn new things, meet amazing people, and challenge my way of looking at the world. 

The USGIF also did not disappoint with the list of speakers, which included the Deputy Secretary of Defense, former ISAF Commander Gen (R) Stan McChrystal and leaders from every major intelligence governing body or intelligence agency.

Three major things jumped out at me at this conference. Space based dominance, flexibility vs. efficiency and a new calculus for change.

Space Dominance
With all the talk about cyber defense, cyber offense and general protection of critical cyber infrastructure I've always found myself thinking "I get it, but what's important is what the adversary is after, not just the act." Space is exactly one of those strategic fronts that gets overlooked for the "why." We know it's important, but when you consider why it's important you can really consider the implications in a new way. Deputy Secretary of Defense, Robert O. Work, really articulated that "why" for me in a way that really got my mind working. First of all, the secretary pointed out that a key component to the U.S. Military's dominance has come from space based technology. Whether it's precision munitions, GPS or Intelligence insights-- look no farther than the sensors designed and developed by organizations such as the NRO. The problem is, whether its the rise of China or even the commercialization of space, our advantage is shrinking. What does the future look like when it's not a just a "near peer" like China with the most recent imagery, but Daesh? The Deputy also made some great points with regards to China, articulating that they aren't necessarily adversaries. They can be partners and competitors; China can push us in a way that might be helpful in our quest to achieve great technological advances. In the end the message was clear though, space is a big deal and we are very dependent on it. Sharing "space" (pun intended) will lessen our technological lead on the rest of the world. Allowing our adversaries to deny our use for space will significantly weaken our ability to wage war.

Flexibility Over Efficiency
As part of running a small business you continually struggle with the desire to have the resources of a large business but the inner connectivity of small business. Everyday you try to find new ways, techniques, strategies and life hacks that help you get an edge. For me those normally come in the form of "Ah-ha!" moments. It's my version of the "light bulb" coming on. Gen (R) McChrystal's talk definitely had one of those for me. It came when he spoke about how there are times that a drive for process and "efficiency" can degrade your flexibility, and ultimately your ability to make the right decision quickly. In McChrystal's short time on stage, he clearly illustrated how a process being "efficient" doesn't necessarily make it faster. As a small business the phrase "time is money" has special meaning. You don't have the manpower to throw people at a problem, and spending too much time on a process may not just lower profits, it might eliminate them all together. His lesson on flexibility is definitely a something I will incorporate into my daily thought process going forward. We must empower people to make the right decisions quickly so we maintain the autonomy and flexibility that makes us so potent. We have to press our advantage of flexibility and ingenuity.

Calculus For Change
One of the big announcements at GeoInt was a new strategy for NGA. This strategy was delivered by the new Director, Robert Cardillo. The strategy itself is well publicized but what struck me was one of the steps that was articulated for its execution by the Deputy Director Sue Gordon. Her natural ability to sense what it takes to lead is impressive. I have been part of a big organizations that have brought in larger than life leaders to make broad sweeping changes in the past. The one lesson that I learned is that execution and communication are key. It goes without saying that you have to execute the changes, but what comes next is the ability to communicate what changes have been made. If the workforce never sees that changes have happened, if they can't feel them or taste them, you will lose morale very quickly. One way that many leaders choose to do this is through action committees, or working groups. These specially appointed (read: anointed) groups normally create the feeling of "haves" and "have-nots." But NGA isn't creating working groups, they aren't creating pockets of excellence, they are spreading their best leaders across  the organization, recruiting new leaders (see: former IARPA director) and focusing on a one team concept they call #TeamGeoInt. Their ability to deliver on this change remains to be seen and healthy skepticism is expected. However, I must say that I appreciate this subtle change in their plan for execution. The concept of empowering a large group of leaders up and down the chain and making them part of the general population, making them accessible, making them vulnerable and making them part of the everyday programs that make or break an organization is worth the effort. Ultimately this should enable communication in a way that will be critical to their success. All I can say for myself is I'm all in-- I'm ready to be part of #TeamGeoInt.

The symposium was a lot more than those three takeaways. It's about relationships and connections to an industry that has quite a group of true believers; but those three events stood out to me. The changing dynamics in space challenge the United States in a way we haven't been before. The ability to consider the relationship between flexibility and efficiency provides insights into how the next generation of businesses need to operate to be successful. And lastly, there is hope. New leadership with a commitment to make change part of daily life is the type of strategy that speaks to me, and hopefully to their workforce. It shows an all in commitment that is needed to make the types of fundamental changes that are needed to propel us forward. 

Cheers to a great #GeoInt2015... I'm looking forward to 2016 already.