11/06/03
Let's say you take charge of an organization
that's spread out all over the United States and the world...
and suddenly your mission changes dramatically. What do you
do?
First, you've got to make sure that all your employees understand
the new mission and direct their efforts accordingly. But
how do you then build leadership that institutionalizes the
changes and leads the work force to the next level?
This is precisely the state of affairs at the FBI, which
has reoriented itself since the terrorist attacks against
New York and Washington on 9/11/2001. Over the past two years,
FBI employees have adapted to an intelligence-based, team
approach to investigations, working shoulder to shoulder in
close partnerships with their law enforcement and intelligence
colleagues -- all to protect Americans from terrorism, espionage,
cyber-based attacks, and crime. But what about building that
leadership to institutionalize the changes and take the FBI
to the next level?
Basically, Leadership Boot Camp. This fall, in rotating
classes, the next generation of FBI leaders are attending
the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
for customized week-long sessions of high-intensity training,
debate, and problem solving.
Assistant Special Agents in Charge of field offices and managers
from Headquarters are there to wrestle with current and future
FBI challenges. On the curriculum: Leading large-scale change;
modifying organizational culture; best practices on managing
interdependencies; strategic thinking and decision making;
and addressing current FBI issues.
It's a big investment, but for a big payoff: Improved leadership
skills that will help the FBI make America a safe place for
your children... and for your children's children. That's
why Director Mueller (pictured) made a point of stopping by
to quiz one class on its progress....
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