The Jedburgh Podcast #089: Clarity In Crisis: Leadership Lessons From The CIA - Marc Polymeropoulos
The CIA, and any organization for that matter, needs dynamic and impactful leaders that drive results, take care of people and accomplish the mission, when failure is never an option.
Fran Racioppi is joined by one of the CIA's most impactful leaders. Marc Polymeropoulos served 26 years in the CIA leading operations across Europe, Eurasia, Afghanistan, Iraq and many of the world's most dangerous places. Marc recently released his book Clarity In Crisis: Leadership Lessons From The CIA in which he lays out what it takes to inspire and get the best from others; even when asked to do the seemingly impossible.
Fran challenges Marc to show us how to implement his nine strategies for leading when we don't always have all the answers but we have to take action.
Today Marc also fights the biggest challenge of his life after he was attacked by Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy in a Russian hotel in 2017. Known as Havana Syndrome, these attacks have been reported all over the world against American diplomatic personnel, with years of investigation but no consensus as to the reason for the onset of victims' medical conditions.
Learn more aboutMarc Polymeropoulos at marcpolymeropoulos.com and on Twitter @mpolymer.
Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.
Highlights:
- 0:00 The CIA, Jedburghs, Boston Red Sox and the mission of the CIA
- 10:58 Marc decides to join the CIA and defines leadership
- 15:50 Developing a values system is the start of leadership
- 18:10 The Glue Guys
- 21:45 The difference between failure, mistakes and quitting
- 26:24 The Process Monkey
- 31:37 Humility is best served warm
- 35:05 Why leaders have to win an Oscar
- 39:00 Leaders create a family within their teams
- 42:23 Leaders are teachers first
- 47:55 Employ the Dagger to recognize others
- 50:12 Bringing Clarity to Crisis
- 52:24 Havana Syndrome
- 1:00:24 Marc’s Three Daily Foundations to Success
Quotes:
- “When we talk about the mission it’s providing information to policymakers, but you do it in such a way where honesty and integrity is the foundation.” (10:24)
- “There is a huge distinction between failing, that’s gonna happen; but failure is quitting.” (22:45)
- “People remember three things. They can’t remember nine.” (26:49)
- “If you think too highly of yourself, I think you’re gonna make mistakes.” (34:02)
- “I was crapping my pants. I thought I was going to die that day. I was terrified.” (36:17)
- “I woke up in the middle of the night with the room spinning, splitting migraine, tinnitus, which is ringing in my ears, Vertigo…" (53:48)
Marc’s Three Daily Foundations to Success: The Combat Leadership Chassis-focus on what you can control
- Coffee
- Hydrate
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Exercise
This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s, 18A Fitness & Compass Workforce Solutions