Innovate or else - and do it before August 2015

The Power of the Written Word

Writing and the ability to write by hand matters and is as important today as it ever was, especially in an increasingly digital world.

World Stationery Day celebrates the written word and all things stationery – the products which make it possible. You can never have too much stationery!

Its aim is to get people all over the world talking about stationery, and why writing by hand is important. And to send more letters and cards, and not just text or email.

You can read more HERE.

Leading People, Leading Change, Getting Results!

Captain John Banigan, CO, USS Lake Erie was fired for "poor command climate" on 27 April.  He is a self-described as a "Transitioning Navy Veteran with over 25 years of leadership experience and proven record in management of multi-billion dollar Department of Defense programs." 

He has enjoyed great success over his 25 year career. He's described by subordinates, peers, and seniors as a "NO NONSENSE" leader. 

There's a story to tell here by those who know it. We'll have to wait for it to pan out.

Ideas

Writing, thinking, deciding

Writing is on the decline. Thoughtful, precise writing has been replaced by emails, tweets, FaceBook posts and briefings filled with incomplete thinking. This decline of writing skills is causing a corresponding decline in thinking skills (or is it the other way around?). Writing is most valuable as a powerful way of thinking. Writing helps us express our thoughts in a logical and coherent way. It forces us to critically examine our own thinking, which ultimately leads to better thinking, better problem solving, and - more than likely - better decision making. If we want better thinkers and decision makers, we should start by educating better writers. 

Many people talk about thinking "outside the box" - sometimes, thinking is enough on its own.

SECDEF Carter rewiring the Pentagon in a wireless world

The new DoD Cyber Strategy is HERE.

Ash Carter to unveil DoD cyber strategy today

Five overarching strategic goals of DoD cyber strategy:

- development and maintenance of a cyber force.

- defense of DoD's network.

- cyber defense of the homeland. 

- development of a plan to control escalation during a conflict. 

- closer work with foreign allies in order to build up capacity in the digital realm.

I wonder if he meant to say this

Paul A. Strassmann, in the April issue of SIGNAL magazine, said - 

"The ultimate Defense Department cyber defenses will be found in a cadre of senior executives attracted to the conduct of cyber intelligence, which requires the application of technical aspects initiating cybercountermeasures."

You can read his entire article HERE.

I think it is more likely that the ultimate DoD cyber defenses will be found outside that cadre of senior executives.

For my friend Jim Murphy - the writer

"You’re a writer. An artist. You write about things that matter to you and I’m sure you hope those things will matter to others, but even if they don’t you’re still going to do the work. That’s what artists do. It’s remarkable. But it’s more than that. It’s audacious. You don’t need recognition and approval. We might want it, and from time to time we may even wonder why we’re not getting more of it, but we: Don’t. Need. It."

Bryan Hutchinson

Incoming: Reading and Leading

Fletcher School Dean James Stavridis in SIGNAL Magazine.  You can read the article HERE.

"Once we understand how important reading is for leading, the next step of course is deciding what books to read. Here, the ultimate dilemma for any reader is apparent. There are an infinite number of books and an extremely finite number of hours to devote to actually reading. Where to start?"

I am ever hopeful that he will follow this new book with something about writing and leading.  Reading and writing go together more so than "reading and leading"; it follows that writing and leading are inextricably linked, also.

Quotable Stavridis

"Good leaders must be good communicators, 

and the hard work of writing is best sharpened on

 the whetstone of reading."

ATHENA 7

Unless you share it, your idea won't change anything.  Get involved.  More details HERE.

CNP acknowledges that 15 years of Sailor complaints about Navy Knowledge Online were valid

Vice Admiral Bill Moran (Navy Personnel boss) told the audience at the 2015 Sea Air Space Exposition at the National Harbor that Navy Knowledge Online stinks.  "We need to move completely off that system, but we need to capture it in a different way."

Fleet Lieutenants and first class petty officers will fix the mess.

Sailors everywhere are rejoicing.

DEF(x) DC - The Strength of The Idea

The Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF) invites you to participate in the inaugural DEF[x] DC event. Taking lessons learned from the business and entrepreneurial communities, a group of military personnel have formed a dynamic community to develop the leaders required for 21st-century challenges. A select group of established and emerging leaders have teamed up with Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies near Chinatown to brainstorm bold new solutions to key policy issues in the defense arena. This year’s two headlining topics are “Talent Management” and “The Future of Strategy.”

Showcasing the keen insights of emerging leaders--both in and out of the military--you will be able to hear multiple TED talk-style conversations on these topics and participate in lively breakout sessions with the presenters and fellow attendees. An established defense leader will also take the stage to give the benefit of their perspective and at the days end you'll be invited to a complimentary post - conference reception.

Yet the purpose of this conference isn't limited to exchanging differing viewpoints, but to also find solutions, forge partnerships, and help develop skills that will foster a more innovative culture in the U.S. military. Throughout the day, during the hosted lunch, and at the post-conference reception attendees will have the unique chance to interact with a diverse group of practitioners and professionals from across services, industries, and backgrounds who all share a common passion and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle problems on a national scale.

We truly hope that you will join us in our endeavor to spur greater defense innovation and strengthen grassroots connections across the many communities, corporations, organizations, and agencies that operate at the intersection of policy and defense thinking. After all, it's the strength of the idea that matters most...not the title of the thinker.

Are you ready to share your thoughts?

Ross Perot's 58 year old complaints about out-dated Navy Personnel System being acted upon

At this year's Sea Air Space Symposium, Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert said the Navy will begin tackling salient manning issues and modernizing the Navy's outdated personnel system (long regarded as the reason Ross Perot left the submarine force in 1957), maximizing career-long technical training, and moving away from year-group management.

All just in the nick of time.