This video entitled, “A Partnership for Cocreation: Local Motors & The US Army Rapid Equipping Force” gives a quick look at ways that the Army works with industry to identify and field new technologies. Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers and Director of the Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF) COL Pete Newell talk about co-creation and the ability to drive innovation “at the pace of conversation” in order to improve soldier productivity, safety and survivability in the theater of operations.
To learn more about what might just be the perfection of raptor warfare technology, visit www.tacticalsuitcaseraptor.com.
thanks JC!
Ultimately, the success of McChrystal Group can be traced to CrossLead, set of principles forged over years of sustained counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
CrossLead is a combat proven leadership and management system that optimizes the performance of individuals, teams and organizations through shared consciousness and purpose.
It consists of the following principles:
1. Trust and Teamwork
Build a foundation of relationships based on trust and teamwork.
2. Vision and Values
Ground the organization on a clearly defined vision and set of values.
3. Operating Environment
Understand the operating environment and your organization while constantly adapting for purpose.
4. Aligned Strategy
Align the team around an achievable and resilient strategy.
5. Culture of Communication
Force and foster a culture of inclusion, transparency, and accountability through constant communication.
6. Decision Making
Create shared ownership by decentralizing decision-making and execution to the most effective level.
7. Disciplined Operating Rhythm
Ruthlessly prioritize, maintain a disciplined and sustainable battle rhythm, and focus on what only you can affect.
To learn more about CrossLead visit mcchrystalgroup.com/content/crosslead-way.
In a recent blog post entitled “Leadership as a Core Competency” author Joe Wollfel a Sr. Consultant with the McChrystal Group and former Navy SEAL, discusses successful traits for a practitioner leader.
The power of practical leadership lies in the integration of high-performing individuals’ skills and ideas, not the mastery of the individual leader in his or her field or function: the leader’s function is leadership.
It contains excellent pointers for someone in charge of a group of high-performers. Such conditions are often found in SOF units with highly competent and experienced NCOs being led by a generalist officer. As these officers are often still early in their careers and serious go-getters themselves, there is a tendency to compete with the troops. Years ago, I served with one such performance obsessed young officer. “Bob” was in constant competition with his team, whether at the shooting range or at the gym, he wanted to outdo everybody. I remember speaking with him about his overtly competitive behavior. It wasn’t exactly making him very popular with the men so I tried to explain to him that he needed to learn as much as he could about his charges, their strengths and weaknesses so that when he needed them, he’d know how to make best use of their skills. He never got it and ended up getting out of the Air Force. It’s too bad. He had a lot to offer but he wasn’t willing to learn how to lead.
So, it was refreshing to read this article by Wollfel. Take a few minutes to read it and see how you can apply these principles to your leadership experience.
mcchrystalgroup.com/content/leadership-core-competency
Mission Ready Services Inc announced today that they have acquired a 100% interest in No-Contact, LLC a research and development company focused on wearable technologies synthesizing advanced textiles with electronics and computation for personal protection and safety.
No-Contact’s technology is really cool. In January of 2010 we described it as “the stungun you wear“.
Founded by Adam Whiton, a PhD candidate from MIT, and apparel engineer Yolita Nugent, No-Contact’s proprietary technology known as Electro Muscular Disruption technology (“EMD”), was originally envisioned to protect women from sexual assault but security personnel and law enforcement officers soon realized it could also be used protect them when confronted with close-quarter assault situations. It delivers a high-voltage but low-amperage charge to deter, but not seriously injure, an attacker. They’ve worked out the kinks. It won’t affect the wearer thanks to a shock and waterproof barrier.
“We are excited to welcome Adam Whiton and Yolita Nugent to Mission Ready and feel that their expertise will be instrumental in the Company’s many research and developments projects moving forward. This acquisition furthers our Mission to offer unrivaled products and services in the global defense, security and first-responder markets,” said Rod Reum, President & CEO of Mission Ready.
No-Contact brings a great deal of expertise in integrating electronics with clothing. The implications are huge for the military and law enforcement markets as well as for consumers.
theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/09/the-case-for-abolishing-patents-yes-all-of-them
The article discusses a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis working paper by Michele Boldrin and David Levine, professors at Washington University in St. Louis.
The crux if their argument is that innovation is stifled as the patent system is used as a source of income through litigation.
Read the article and then discuss. Do you think that the patent issue has hurt or helped the tactical industry?
GEN (R) Stanley McChrystal, USA addresses leadership during this hour-long video for the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The takeaway? “Leadership is not a talent or a gift. It’s a choice. It’s not complex, but it’s very hard.”
When The Pope talks, people listen.
Thomas Barnett was the epitome of the disruptive thinker in the early 00s. His classic work, “The Pentagon’s New Map” inspired outside-the-box thinking all across government. Just the other day I was wondering what happened to Mr Barnett so I checked out his website and found that he is alive and well. He’s also still at it, taking a critical look at the world we live in and providing honest analysis on his blog. If you are interested in a different point of view on global economics and political freedom and how it effects the US, then you need to make a regular stop to read Thomas Barnett.
