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Ever since the first James Bond film, the life-and-death game of international espionage will always be thrilling. Covert operations in high-risk environments conducted by intelligence services certainly make for a fantastic theme for novels, films and TV shows. But the reality of intelligence work is far from what is depicted in the films. It is a deliberate and methodical process-driven profession in which the entire team must be precise and perfectly coordinated. The slightest mistake could compromise the mission and run the risk of losing human lives.
That said, it is no surprise that the leadership skills of intelligence professionals are constantly being redefined and studied. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an aspiring entrepreneur, you can learn some key lessons from these professionals that will make you a smarter leader. I had the opportunity to interview one of these leaders and this is what I learned.
Marc Polymeropoulos is one of the CIA’s most decorated senior intelligence professionals—he even wrote a book about his time there. Marc spent 26 years working in the world’s most dangerous places and leading covert operations. His proven leadership techniques also have broad applications beyond the world of the CIA. Two of his approaches stuck with me, not only for their operational utility but also for their catchy nicknames: respect the process monkey and honor the glue guy.