Mike McConnell

9/11 Management Lessons: #4 Success Depends On Relationships, ‘Super System’

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If the experiences of DHS and ODNI are any guide, the success or failure of reorganization may depend on dynamics and relationships that transcend the immediate borders of the new department or agency.

A new government enterprise does not exist in a vacuum, but must operate within a super system of sister departments, White House councils and czars, and congressional oversight
committees. While these institutional actors are rarely taken into account by those who design a new agency, they can have a profound impact on those charged with building and running the organization. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 2, 2011 at 3:00 PM

9/11 Management Lessons: #2 Leaders Must Embed Vision, Values

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The experience of DHS and ODNI suggest leaders must imbed the vision and values in the new organization for it to gain traction and succeed, but that doing so might rank among the most challenging tasks.

Intangible elements, or the “soft stuff,” such as communicating a new culture and identity while remaining sensitive to tradition, are often the toughest to tackle. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 31, 2011 at 4:30 PM

9/11 Management Lessons: #1 – Chain Of Command Can’t Stand Alone

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An in-depth analysis of flaws in DHS and ODNI reorganization efforts shows both would have benefited from strong leadership to articulate the mission and the reasons for change, guide the transformation, and meld together disparate entities and management approaches.

Essentially, chain of command is necessary, but not sufficient. Keep reading →

 /  Published August 30, 2011 at 4:00 PM