tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post2667538685384434860..comments2023-10-20T15:32:34.216+00:00Comments on Eclectic Breakfast: Warrior Poets in Service to Philosopher Kings: Modeling Security LeadershipEclectic Breakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767654149969639962noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-50370238167458706722011-08-13T22:14:33.669+00:002011-08-13T22:14:33.669+00:00Hi Mike,
I read through your paper and found it t...Hi Mike,<br /><br />I read through your paper and found it to be a good integration of the literature. I can see the thoughtful effort you put into the writing of this paper. Your thoughts are carefully described and represent your interpretation and synthesis of the various authors you read. It also appears that some of the thoughts originate from your experience and approach to leadership as you've grown in role as a leader. On an academic level, you might want to increase the number of citations that informed your thoughts or declarative statements. It would be interesting, as well, to see some type of graphic organizer representative of your model. To see it displayed visually would help communicate the model in a concise and "quick" manner. Thanks for sharing your good work and asking for feedback. I wish you well as you near the end of your degree program!<br />Sue HinesSue Hineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12803096678197701990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-90678289336088987972011-08-13T19:07:59.331+00:002011-08-13T19:07:59.331+00:00Michael,
I was quite impressed with your first re...Michael,<br /><br />I was quite impressed with your first rendition, but your rewrite is so much better…it is like comparing the starkness of night against the beauty of a brilliant sunrise. In your rewrite, you have successfully captured a subtleness that did not previously exist. I believe this is due in part to some reframing of your thoughts, as well as both renaming and adding to the ‘topic’ section titles. The information flows more comfortably and seems to be a more interesting ‘read’.<br /><br />In your introduction you added, “At Saint Mary’s I have encountered new methods to create more effective leaders and have found ways to apply them to the security trade.” This statement lends not only to your credibility, but to your purpose and sets the stage for what is to follow. <br /><br />Your addition of information about serving yourself is excellent. The information was not ‘self-serving’, but rather a recipe for taking care of yourself, which enables you to take care of others. There are several other examples throughout your writing where the addition of information has removed some of the controversy created in your original piece.<br /><br />I like the fact that you created a ‘Conclusion’ section. In this section you have successfully stated what your conclusions are and what you believe needs to be pursued to make the security industry more credible, as well as more successful. I especially like your last sentence, “Be mindful of the power you wield, but serve your team, your organization, your profession and your community from the heart as well as the head.” It speaks to the need to be human, to have empathy and compassion and do the right thing, while applying reason, logic, education and common sense.<br /><br />Again thank you for the opportunity to review your work, I feel privileged. Since you have presented this on your blog, would you have any objection if I were to share your work with my employees?<br /><br />Mike DaileyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-73483142904448003172011-08-12T22:05:39.744+00:002011-08-12T22:05:39.744+00:00Michael,
Thanks for sharing this. Very thoughtful ...Michael,<br />Thanks for sharing this. Very thoughtful and thought provoking. When should we expect the book? It's now time for case studies and success stories based on Servant Leadership, Team Building, and Critical Thinking in Decision Making. While you are working on the book, perhaps I could be your shadow - so much to learn!<br />Thanks again,<br />Mary PoquetteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-32769395341267803422011-08-04T00:26:14.267+00:002011-08-04T00:26:14.267+00:00Michael,
Congratulations on your matriculation!
Th...Michael,<br />Congratulations on your matriculation!<br />This is a vibrant call for perspective taking to each of us that does the work. Both of us have experienced our share of practitioners that have used FUD,and since the bulk of my time is spent in the violence risk assessment and management area, I see it the majority of my time. It is our job to help prevent the loss, but also to enhance the quality of a healthy, safe, environment that people live in. Critical thinking is a key component that needs to be expanded in our profession, as does an appreciation for a cross-disciplinary outlook. Security practitioners should be the renaissance business professionals of the age, familiar with all things and master of a few, as they are required to work in and protect all aspects of the enterprise. We should encourage every security person, regardless of station, to learn as much as they can about how it all works and works together, because and they grow and expand, the work is done better and more comprehensively, providing greater value and safety.Jim Cawoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-5106345253339174422011-08-03T21:39:06.422+00:002011-08-03T21:39:06.422+00:00Mike,
Overall it is quite an interesting and very ...Mike,<br />Overall it is quite an interesting and very well written paper. After being in this industry for over 35 years on both the proprietary and contract side of the street most of what you point out is still the same as it has been and will continue to be for oh so many years. <br /> The industry runs on fears and always threatens the what if this happens scenario as a way of selling everything it gains. I for one don't see that changing anytime soon since it is how most security departments grow and without using some of these tactics I'm not sure they would ever be able to grow. Is that good or bad? I am not sure what the answer to that is. One thing is for sure with the billions and billions of dollars spent by the government each year for Homeland Security, what has really been prevented? I think that is hard to say because there have been attempts since 9/11 and many of them failed because of mistakes on their part. But from someone who came into this industry in the early 70's, I have seen dramatic changes and awareness programs at almost every company and I believe we as a whole have benefited from them. <br /> The biggest problem to me facing this industry is the wages that are paid to the officers performing the actual hands on duties at many companies. Worse yet are the contractors who supply these officers at next to nothing wages and usually with little or no benefits. Why hasn't corporate America stood up and said how come that guard only makes 8.00 to 10.00 per hour? The contract industry only does what it's customers demand so the real problem is the same two sided approach that has always been there. How can the security officer who is going to be in the middle of an incident be making less than a 1/3 of the police officer who is going to respond to his/her call for assistance and why is this what the customer wants? <br /> As for the management style you represent, good for you as I have always been one to believe that my officers made me, I didn't make them. Their views and comments on everything they do is so important to a 24/7 operation that many managers forget or simply don't care about there thoughts. But I for one like you, believe that they see and hear far more than I ever will.<br /> For the years that I have known and worked with you I can say that you are one quality manager and the ultimate thinker. Kudos to you.<br /><br />JoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-24356060601410454582011-08-03T21:25:09.607+00:002011-08-03T21:25:09.607+00:00“The question, which has haunted me for years and ...“The question, which has haunted me for years and guided my program, is whether or not security professionals have deliberately – either through action or inaction – made use of fear to further their programs, especially since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.”<br /><br />At the federal level, it has been obvious to me that fear is a business [1] and it is a growth field. I was a “nationally recognized bioterrorism expert” in 2001-2003 and the Department of Health and Human Services used bioterrorism concerns to fund public health programs that would not have been funded otherwise. USDA made a similar attempt to use the 2003 BSE (mad cow disease) case to get funding for other animal health programs.<br /><br /> “Critical Thinking in Decision Making<br />There are security professionals who are prone to believe the worst even in the face of statistics to the contrary.”<br />The urge to worst-case it is very strong among decision-makers because the risk of sanctions for excessive caution is usually less than the risk of sanctions for insufficient caution. You can get them away from worst-casing by:<br />Pointing out that the likelihood of several adverse events occurring at the same time is much less than the likelihood of any one of them happening; and<br />Adding a large meteor strike, a strategic nuclear exchange, and an influenza pandemic to their worst-case scenario.<br />See Jonathan Barron’s Thinking and Deciding for discussion. Well written and well referenced. An unusual combination.<br /><br />“Use of statistic(s) honestly”<br />Statistics are just another tool for developing and implementing policy. Generally, people who develop and implement policy do so because they find the work interesting, fun, and want their organization to succeed. Numbers create “Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative.[2]” Sending the data to Guantanamo works up until you run into someone who knows what you did. At that point, your credibility is gone (what else are they lying about?) and it may be time for a career change.<br /><br />“Try data-driven decision-making”<br />Like Mark Twain said of Christianity, this is a good idea that should be tried some time. My experience is that managers would like to use more data and be more objective, but most of the data they are given is poorly presented and is not useful or easily understandable. Managers are usually managing a lot of things, and do not have the leisure to obtain and analyze data. So they rely on Informed Professional Judgment (which works more often than you think), Professional Consensus (usually it is safer to be wrong with the herd), whatever information is easy to get (the drunk at the streetlight problem), or, if forced into it, staff studies/analysis/reports. The last category is the least used because it is the least usable. <br /> <br />Two other references—<br />Eichmann in Jerusalem: a report on the banality of evil. By Hannah Arendt. It is still relevant because he was just a middle manager (equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel) who tried to do a good job (in a security organization!). However, his narrowly defined professional sense got him hung for his efforts. Sort of a book-length restatement of your last paragraph.<br />Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision. By Roberta Wohlstetter. A classic in the field. Good support for your points about critical thinking, data-driven decision making, and organizational behavior. By the way, the CIA likes it as well. <br />Politics and the English Language. By George Orwell. Many of your comments about manipulative and inept language use were also discussed by Orwell in 1946. <br /><br />[1] “Fear is a business” is the title of an SF story that Theodore Sturgeon wrote back in the fifties. The notion is not new.<br />[2] Lord Pooh-Bah, The Mikado (Gilbert & Sullivan)t6chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948167659292812214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-34663503656539610572011-08-03T00:09:25.737+00:002011-08-03T00:09:25.737+00:00Mike,
First of all, allow me to say that I enjoye...Mike,<br /><br />First of all, allow me to say that I enjoyed your paper. You obviously have put forth a lot of research and thought into its development. You appear to have no problem with challenging the ‘norms’ of the security industry, based on many of your statements. I especially like your castigation of the fear mongering that is so prevalent. <br /><br />In your introduction you have established quite a lofty goal for yourself, “The goal of this, my last independent, study in my program is to prepare a paper describing a model for principled leadership in modern security organizations”, especially in light of the fact that the security industry is wrought with questionable integrity and ethics among the owners, organizers and leaders. Some other points you made left an impression on me as well, i.e. security leadership is a specialized discipline; the trade lacks academic literature; and the requirement to deal ethically with employees, the public and executives. <br /><br />The ‘Servant Leadership’ section was probably my favorite, because I practice many of the elements you so eloquently put forth. I find that there is strength in being a servant leader, rather than being an authoritarian. Reading through your thoughts in this section served to reinforce my comfort with this approach to leadership.<br /><br />Although you made some interesting points regarding team building, I did not find anything especially new or innovative. Having read a number of books on team building, the basics building blocks are the basic building blocks. However, I did like the fact that you emphasized up front the importance of recruiting broadly; hiring carefully; picking the right people for the job; and training them well…I have always believed in round pegs in round holes.<br /><br />I do take some exception to your arguments about diversity. Using diversity in hiring, merely for the sake of creating diversity doesn’t work. Employing a person who has difficulty understanding and speaking the English language creates an untenable hurdle and a potential liability. Culturally it can be a liability as well, because American customs are often misunderstood and may appear offensive or contemptible to others because of their ethnicity or religious beliefs. Although diversity can be an advantage in certain circumstance, it again becomes hiring round pegs for round holes. You might want to think about inserting clarification around your arguments about diversity.<br /><br />The section on ‘Critical Thinking in Decision Making” was written pretty well. I believe you effectively pointed out the lack of critical thinking that often occurs within the security industry. You offer excellent insight, as well as offering sound advice about avoiding alarmism. Your concluding sentence in that paragraph, “Fear, anxiety, and urgency have sold a lot of hardware and services this past decade, which we purchased with money that might have been put to better, more balanced use, elsewhere”, astutely points out the fallacy that so many of our peers have embraced. <br /><br />In you concluding comments, you have carefully defined the principles by which the security industry should be guided, as well as offering valuable insight toward developing a more effective blueprint for success. I believe you have successfully presented serious arguments that security professionals should contemplate as they move the industry forward in the twenty-first century. <br /><br />In closing, please allow me to suggest that you have a good proof reader check your work. Although minor for the most part, there are some grammatical and punctuation errors that need to be corrected. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to read, review and comment on your work, I enjoyed it.<br /><br />Mike DaileyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-73152558738200635142011-08-02T20:55:59.339+00:002011-08-02T20:55:59.339+00:00Mike,
It is hard for some decision makers to see ...Mike,<br /><br />It is hard for some decision makers to see value in “security” if primary function is security is to prevent something bad from happening. Moreover when there is a budget crunch, it is easy for some decision makers to cut back on security because it is hard to see the value proposition of prevention. <br /><br />Security must to be an enabler, not a preventer. I maintain (quoting from my resume, BTW), that:<br /><br /> “The purpose of Security is to enable an appropriate level of Availability, Integrity and Privacy for the services offered. Well-designed and maintained security is a Positive, not simply something that denies certain actions. It enables one to function well in the real world with your eyes wide open.”<br /><br />Based on reading your article, I see that you would largely agree with that statement.<br /><br />-- Landon Curt Noll ( http://www.isthe.com/chongo/index.html )chongo /\oo/\https://www.blogger.com/profile/12676718511324856948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-78580984532424220872011-08-02T17:22:18.967+00:002011-08-02T17:22:18.967+00:00I enjoyed reading your paper. Many of us in the se...I enjoyed reading your paper. Many of us in the security industry have practiced the upside down organizational chart, rewarding excellence, caring for your team and walking your talk, etc. for many years and it is good to see that younger managers are in agreement with these solid practices. I do believe that our industry and so many other fields overuse and abuse statitical data.Jim McGuffeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-21702219210535949032011-08-02T15:41:18.233+00:002011-08-02T15:41:18.233+00:00Mike,
I don't claim to know anything about sec...Mike,<br />I don't claim to know anything about security, but I am proud to be the father of a man who does! The section about "servant leadership" makes all of the sense in the world - however many hard-nosed leaders will find it to be too soft. I hope you don't find yourself working with the military, top down, might-makes-right type of organization.<br /><br />The anonymous writer just prior to my comments also shows a good sense of the human element.<br /><br />Larry M. BradyLarry M Bradynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-76071929433623597352011-08-02T01:58:15.365+00:002011-08-02T01:58:15.365+00:00This is a great piece: thoughtful, well prepared ...This is a great piece: thoughtful, well prepared and with a sense of introspection. Not many people will give their career path that much thought regardless of the environment.<br /><br />Security (known by its many names) is a highly misunderstood field of expertise. However "everyone" knows it...just ask any executive.<br /><br />I could never do justice with insight that is as deep and profound as you may be seeking so I will simply say these two things: Don't over analyze it and always (Always) keep family first. No one on their death bed said Gee, I wish I had spent more time at work.<br /><br />Pat MurphyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com