Colonel Candid

Photo by  Christina @ wocintechchat.com  on  Unsplash The Mentorship Blueprint Mentorship is not a foreign concept to those who succeed in national security career fields. Most people understand mentorship is important, and they likely have several types of mentors on whom they can count. To establish this lasting relationship requires an individualized approach because each relationship is unique. What is required to create a unique relationship is not foreign, and this document serves to outline the best method to map out mentorship approaches and goals. Tried and true methods are gathered here to guide and develop the mentorship relationship, to help ensure it remains on course and productive with both quantitative and qualitative results.   Mentorship relationships begin with a sharing the mentor’s experience, a long iterative phase of discovery and development, and lastly, a mentee’s expansion in talents and skills. Following this blueprint, a men...

As we reflect on this Memorial Day, a day to solemnly remember those who died in active military service, I’d like to share the memory of my sister-in-arms Lieutenant Colonel Jaimie E. Leonard. Sisters-in-arms, not a common phrase uttered too often outside of a small circle of women who serve but one worth highlighting and explaining. Of those serving in the Army today, approximately 14% are women. When Jaimie and I attended West Point together women made up just slightly above ten percent of the Corps of Cadets. Of those women who continued serving past our initial obligation the percentage of women serving fell into single digits and the small circle of sisters-in-arms formed an even stronger bond. Ja imie and I last spoke in 2011 when she was serving in Afghanistan. We were both military intelligence officers and we combined work efforts to ensure the success of a critical mission. In a field where time is always of the essence, we had little time to reminisce, but we caught up on...

In the middle of a tumultuous period, look around and see who is really leading. Clarity comes to most of us when we are amidst significant chaos. For those of you in leadership positions, I’d offer the following, recognize where you’re at, thinking about where you want to go, and find a way to get there. Rather simple but amidst a current environment of change each leader must understand the problems you faced yesterday no longer exist. It’s time to reframe as a leader. First, leadership is encouraging a group to get things done, and preserving harmony with a group by making everyone feels included. This requires the trust of those you lead. A leader organizes activities, provides guidance, and ensures the work is followed through. At the beginning a leader must first think what must be done. During a crisis, you must clarify what is urgent from what is important. After dividing this up, quickly ask for feedback. Do this by surrounding yourself with Subject Matter Experts people ...