Posted on May 11, 2015
General McChrystal here on RallyPoint - What questions do you have?
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A message from the General: “Thank you each for your service. Thank you also for giving me the opportunity to answer your questions and I hope you’ll enjoy Team of Teams.”
From the RallyPoint Team:
This May, General McChrystal is releasing his new book: "Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World"
In the book, "McChrystal and his colleagues show how the challenges they faced in Iraq can be relevant to countless businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations. The world is changing faster than ever, and the smartest response for those in charge is to give small groups the freedom to experiment while driving everyone to share what they learn across the entire organization."
You can learn more about the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Team-Teams-Rules-Engagement-Complex/dp/ [login to see]
From the RallyPoint Team:
This May, General McChrystal is releasing his new book: "Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World"
In the book, "McChrystal and his colleagues show how the challenges they faced in Iraq can be relevant to countless businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations. The world is changing faster than ever, and the smartest response for those in charge is to give small groups the freedom to experiment while driving everyone to share what they learn across the entire organization."
You can learn more about the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Team-Teams-Rules-Engagement-Complex/dp/ [login to see]
Leadership
GEN
Q&A
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 128
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Welcome aboard Sir!
I have followed your career since 2008 operating in SOCOM, and that leads to my question: Current threats to veterans and VIPs from ISIS leads me to believe there is an underbelly cell waiting to strike on command here on CONUS.
Recruitment efforts are in full swing, and over a dozen known Americans have been recruited by ISIS/Al Queda.
"Do you believe expanding our Reserve and National Guard Special Operation capability could be a solution to this growing CONUS threat?"
Second part of this question; "Do you feel this undertaking would be best accomplished by all the different services should take part in?"
To my knowledge, there is not a Reserve Joint SOC command.
I have followed your career since 2008 operating in SOCOM, and that leads to my question: Current threats to veterans and VIPs from ISIS leads me to believe there is an underbelly cell waiting to strike on command here on CONUS.
Recruitment efforts are in full swing, and over a dozen known Americans have been recruited by ISIS/Al Queda.
"Do you believe expanding our Reserve and National Guard Special Operation capability could be a solution to this growing CONUS threat?"
Second part of this question; "Do you feel this undertaking would be best accomplished by all the different services should take part in?"
To my knowledge, there is not a Reserve Joint SOC command.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I dream of the day our US forces are partial (or fully) integrated into our police force....I'm sure there are plenty of politicians that would never go for that.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
SFC Kenneth Hunnell call it whatever you like, can you argue that some cities perhaps need a police (like) state? Working together is the key word...not running the show. Real training with bad guys everyday. Without the cost of deploying, how can any Senior Leader argue that this couldn't provide good training?
I know we have laws in place to prevent this...but the more radical our young generation gets...the more radical we need to be. Adapt, Overcome...
I know we have laws in place to prevent this...but the more radical our young generation gets...the more radical we need to be. Adapt, Overcome...
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
From 02/2014 NPR:The top of the Journal's story grabs your attention:
"The attack began just before 1 a.m. on April 16 last year, when someone slipped into an underground vault not far from a busy freeway and cut telephone cables.
"Within half an hour, snipers opened fire on a nearby electrical substation. Shooting for 19 minutes, they surgically knocked out 17 giant transformers that funnel power to Silicon Valley. A minute before a police car arrived, the shooters disappeared into the night.
"To avoid a blackout, electric-grid officials rerouted power around the site and asked power plants in Silicon Valley to produce more electricity. But it took utility workers 27 days to make repairs and bring the substation back to life."
According to Foreign Policy, which was less definitive about whether the attack was the work of more than one person, at least 100 rounds were fired from at least one high-powered rifle.
No one has been arrested in connection with the attack.
"The attack began just before 1 a.m. on April 16 last year, when someone slipped into an underground vault not far from a busy freeway and cut telephone cables.
"Within half an hour, snipers opened fire on a nearby electrical substation. Shooting for 19 minutes, they surgically knocked out 17 giant transformers that funnel power to Silicon Valley. A minute before a police car arrived, the shooters disappeared into the night.
"To avoid a blackout, electric-grid officials rerouted power around the site and asked power plants in Silicon Valley to produce more electricity. But it took utility workers 27 days to make repairs and bring the substation back to life."
According to Foreign Policy, which was less definitive about whether the attack was the work of more than one person, at least 100 rounds were fired from at least one high-powered rifle.
No one has been arrested in connection with the attack.
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GEN Stanley McChrystal, Sir it is a great honor.
The Army and other branches have been striving to enhance and implement technology. The most challenging of these efforts being digitization of the force. As the evolution of the force progresses, many non-automated disciplines are lost. This is not a challenge just in military.
Do you believe the gains out way the losses in modernization?
What advice do you have for leaders who may face the potential of self limitation (over reliance on tech)?
Thank You
Very Respectfully
CPT Patrick Boling
The Army and other branches have been striving to enhance and implement technology. The most challenging of these efforts being digitization of the force. As the evolution of the force progresses, many non-automated disciplines are lost. This is not a challenge just in military.
Do you believe the gains out way the losses in modernization?
What advice do you have for leaders who may face the potential of self limitation (over reliance on tech)?
Thank You
Very Respectfully
CPT Patrick Boling
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GEN Stanley McChrystal
Patrick - Although I also believe the gains outweigh the disadvantages, I also think the modernization (primarily digitization) is going to happen regardless. This is a beast we can't try to kill, but must try to tame.
Leaders are going to have the jobs threatens because soldiers will have access to information and the ability to do things that they were reliant on leaders for before. Rather than resist this new reality, I recommend leaders shift from trying to "control" actions in the traditional model of a chess master, and instead adopt a gardener approach in which you shape and tend the ecosystem in which your team operates - letting the empowered team members function within the environment you create. In the end it will actually produce an ever-greater effect.
Leaders are going to have the jobs threatens because soldiers will have access to information and the ability to do things that they were reliant on leaders for before. Rather than resist this new reality, I recommend leaders shift from trying to "control" actions in the traditional model of a chess master, and instead adopt a gardener approach in which you shape and tend the ecosystem in which your team operates - letting the empowered team members function within the environment you create. In the end it will actually produce an ever-greater effect.
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LTC (Join to see)
Thank you General McChrystal for your comment and CPT Boling for your question. I have a reflection: It sounds like a Win/Win in that technology would discourage 'micromanagement" and encourage more teamwork and participative management by giving subordinates more tools. That's what good leadership is about anyway. Leadership school should emphasize the trend and assist leaders in making these adaptations.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Thank you GEN Stanley McChrystal
Sir, it sounds like you are advocating “delegating to the point of discomfort” and empowering teams.
Summary:
So taming this beast is not centralizing control but resourcing and delegating with clear and concise intent (empowering initiative). Does that sound correct?
Longer thought:
In ancient history, large forces where directly controlled in the battle in close proximity with signals (sounds and flag/guidons). The non-conventional units of the period were allowed to maneuver independently (Cavalry/Scouts, Guerilla/Raiders, Roger’s Rangers). Moving forward through history large forces became spread over larger areas with ever increasing tempo. For example WWII battles were often won on initiative due limited intelligence and rapid changing environments which meant that control and influence of leadership was often stripped down to intent.
Then came the dawn of increased capacity to control which seemed to result increased direct influence of leadership. However, an azimuth check seems to have occurred and has been concreted in the foundation of new doctrine. Mission Command seems to be refocusing leaders on how they view their rules. Disciplined Initiative and Prudent Risk are themes that can easily be missed as they inform leaders that they are expected to make decisions using Sound Judgment and solve problems using Critical and Creative Thinking. The challenge is looking into the words and understanding their meaning; re-evaluating their relevance as the threat, organization, environment, mission, or duty position changes. If we don’t re-evaluate the meaning of key leadership concepts in the context of the moment; they will truly only be buzz-words.
So breaking the down the above along with your advice; leaders will always have a job. So taming this beast is not centralizing control but resourcing and delegating with clear and concise intent (empowering initiative). Does that sound correct?
LTC (Join to see) above, I mentioned how technology seemed be leading down the road of more micromanagement and I add here the other trend seemed to be paralysis through analysis.
Sir, it sounds like you are advocating “delegating to the point of discomfort” and empowering teams.
Summary:
So taming this beast is not centralizing control but resourcing and delegating with clear and concise intent (empowering initiative). Does that sound correct?
Longer thought:
In ancient history, large forces where directly controlled in the battle in close proximity with signals (sounds and flag/guidons). The non-conventional units of the period were allowed to maneuver independently (Cavalry/Scouts, Guerilla/Raiders, Roger’s Rangers). Moving forward through history large forces became spread over larger areas with ever increasing tempo. For example WWII battles were often won on initiative due limited intelligence and rapid changing environments which meant that control and influence of leadership was often stripped down to intent.
Then came the dawn of increased capacity to control which seemed to result increased direct influence of leadership. However, an azimuth check seems to have occurred and has been concreted in the foundation of new doctrine. Mission Command seems to be refocusing leaders on how they view their rules. Disciplined Initiative and Prudent Risk are themes that can easily be missed as they inform leaders that they are expected to make decisions using Sound Judgment and solve problems using Critical and Creative Thinking. The challenge is looking into the words and understanding their meaning; re-evaluating their relevance as the threat, organization, environment, mission, or duty position changes. If we don’t re-evaluate the meaning of key leadership concepts in the context of the moment; they will truly only be buzz-words.
So breaking the down the above along with your advice; leaders will always have a job. So taming this beast is not centralizing control but resourcing and delegating with clear and concise intent (empowering initiative). Does that sound correct?
LTC (Join to see) above, I mentioned how technology seemed be leading down the road of more micromanagement and I add here the other trend seemed to be paralysis through analysis.
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No Questions Sir GEN Stanley McChrystal. But, Thanks for your service, and for leadership.
We met in 2007, in Baghdad, when you and your team were checking out/surveying the places some HVTs/HVDs would end up. I was your guide at Site 1 and 2.
Perhaps you could provide the rest of the story on the Rolling Stone story.
We met in 2007, in Baghdad, when you and your team were checking out/surveying the places some HVTs/HVDs would end up. I was your guide at Site 1 and 2.
Perhaps you could provide the rest of the story on the Rolling Stone story.
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GEN Stanley McChrystal, First and foremost Sir, thank you for your service to Duty Honor Country and your continued service to the Nation(United States of America).
My question is what is your opinion on Tom Ricks's book, The Generals? Here is an excerpt from Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik, U.S. Army (Ret.) This piece originally appeared on ForeignPolicy.com - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/otherwork/what-makes-great-general#sthash.0RNhs9O8.dpuf
The first argument is, if more Generals were fired, as in World War II, we'd have better Generals and win more wars. Underplayed are the critical role of the civil-military relationship and the impact of the kind of war being fought.
That leads to the second argument in which Ricks raises some fundamental questions: Does the Army's system produce the Generals the nation needs? Does the Army's "incentive system" create too many risk-averse Generals? Are Army generals overly focused on tactics and too rigid in applying doctrine? To what degree did transformation prepare the Army for today's wars? Are all, or some, Army Generals too slow to learn and adapt? What's the relationship of tactical battlefield performance to success as a general? These questions are fundamental to the Army, for its training, education, and leader development programs produce Colonels, and Army systems select the Colonels who become Generals and the Generals who serve as senior leaders. - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/otherwork/what-makes-great-general#sthash.0RNhs9O8.dpuf
My question is what is your opinion on Tom Ricks's book, The Generals? Here is an excerpt from Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik, U.S. Army (Ret.) This piece originally appeared on ForeignPolicy.com - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/otherwork/what-makes-great-general#sthash.0RNhs9O8.dpuf
The first argument is, if more Generals were fired, as in World War II, we'd have better Generals and win more wars. Underplayed are the critical role of the civil-military relationship and the impact of the kind of war being fought.
That leads to the second argument in which Ricks raises some fundamental questions: Does the Army's system produce the Generals the nation needs? Does the Army's "incentive system" create too many risk-averse Generals? Are Army generals overly focused on tactics and too rigid in applying doctrine? To what degree did transformation prepare the Army for today's wars? Are all, or some, Army Generals too slow to learn and adapt? What's the relationship of tactical battlefield performance to success as a general? These questions are fundamental to the Army, for its training, education, and leader development programs produce Colonels, and Army systems select the Colonels who become Generals and the Generals who serve as senior leaders. - See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/otherwork/what-makes-great-general#sthash.0RNhs9O8.dpuf
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SFC Peter Cyprian
Good questions- I hope he has the time to address them. I am betting that his answers will be quite interesting!
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GEN Stanley McChrystal I want to thank you for your hard work as I know this is a difficult time being a leader in America, but what I would like to know is your assessment on the provocations from Russian and China?
Secondly. Being a Meteorologist, I would like to know what role Weather has in the future and why the need to go to the 557th Wing rather than Air Force Weather Agency? This seems to make weather anonymous.
Again sir, thanks for taking time to be here!
Hope to see you again!
Respectfully,
Larry (Former Air Weather Service)
Secondly. Being a Meteorologist, I would like to know what role Weather has in the future and why the need to go to the 557th Wing rather than Air Force Weather Agency? This seems to make weather anonymous.
Again sir, thanks for taking time to be here!
Hope to see you again!
Respectfully,
Larry (Former Air Weather Service)
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GEN Stanley McChrystal
Larry - my thanks. In the near term I'm more concerned about Russia's behavior. Putin's aggressive moves and apparent corruption make him a dangerous player. Under his leadership I fear Russia is capable of a tremendous amount of dangerous behavior - where a miscalculation could lead to real problems. While China is less provocative now, its almost inevitable that China's growing power will lead to increasing challenges and frictions with us. It's key we not automatically allow than to drift into open opposition - while remaining firm.
I'm certain that weather will be increasingly key in the future. As we use more UAV's and sensors, and rely on them, weather will be a focus. I'm not sure why we'd take weather from the unit's same.
I'm certain that weather will be increasingly key in the future. As we use more UAV's and sensors, and rely on them, weather will be a focus. I'm not sure why we'd take weather from the unit's same.
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PO1 Donald Hammond
GEN, do you believe we are into another Cold War with Russia? Maybe with China too?
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General McChrystal:
Respectfully Sir, I am currently a Doctoral student and my question for you Sir.
I have served 30 years in the military and I am concerned about the transitions for our veterans into civilian community. My recommendation would be to start TAP classes a year out and improve our intervention and assessment of complex PTSD.
It is estimated that 25 percent of female homeless veterans are veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Many female homeless veterans are struggling with mental and physical health issues—injuries incurred during their military service.
Unemployment and limited civilian job preparation and skills have led many of these veterans to poverty and the inability to care for their or their families’ everyday basic needs.
V/R
CH (CPT) Davis
30 years and still serving!
Respectfully Sir, I am currently a Doctoral student and my question for you Sir.
I have served 30 years in the military and I am concerned about the transitions for our veterans into civilian community. My recommendation would be to start TAP classes a year out and improve our intervention and assessment of complex PTSD.
It is estimated that 25 percent of female homeless veterans are veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Many female homeless veterans are struggling with mental and physical health issues—injuries incurred during their military service.
Unemployment and limited civilian job preparation and skills have led many of these veterans to poverty and the inability to care for their or their families’ everyday basic needs.
V/R
CH (CPT) Davis
30 years and still serving!
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PO3 Bryan Dyer
Heather,
Great question. As a veteran, veteran program manager, and civilian recruiter. One of the most difficult things that I see is the lack of transition of skillsets. IT is a great example. Many have networking, IT infrastructure backgrounds, yet they are unable to bring that to the civilian sector. This is one of the most difficult parts of the transition.
Great question. As a veteran, veteran program manager, and civilian recruiter. One of the most difficult things that I see is the lack of transition of skillsets. IT is a great example. Many have networking, IT infrastructure backgrounds, yet they are unable to bring that to the civilian sector. This is one of the most difficult parts of the transition.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
I have been doing extensive research and I am seeing an alarming amount of female veterans that are homeless. It appears that they did not get the treatment they needed and they have a complex trauma of PTSD.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
It is bigger than that and the sad thing is many do not know to go to the VA. Many do not understand how their past traumas have them in a down ward spiral.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
I finally had to go to a professional and have my resume and cover letter done.
I realized that the Human Resource professionals and I were not communicating.
I realized that the Human Resource professionals and I were not communicating.
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GEN Stanley McChrystal, I would first like to thank you for giving the RallyPoint community the opportunity to speak with you in this great forum!
Your TED talk, “Listen, learn...then lead” from 2011 has been truly inspiring and I learn something new about leadership each time I listen to it. You spoke of a time during an NTC rotation following an AAR or as you called it “leadership by humiliation”, where you felt you were a failure and had let your Battalion Commander down. Your Battalion Commander, however said “Stanley, I thought you did great!” and in this one sentence your commander was able to make a significant impact on you, teaching you an important lesson about leadership.
This story reminded me of a time when SPC McCloud, a young paratrooper was based at Camp Syverson, Iraq as an Intelligence Analyst for CJSOTF-AP in 2007. I was sitting in our newly built DFAC as I did every day for lunch when then, LTG McChrystal, walked in. You walked in without an entourage, got some food, and sat down right next to me and another SPC. Of course we were quite nervous at the time seeing a 3 star general sit down next to us in an act that was not protocol for most General Officers. I don’t even remember what was discussed but this one small gesture left a lasting impact on me as a young soldier knowing that we have senior leaders who are grounded and truly care about the troops.
In this TED talk and in your new book you talk about flattening the network, transparent leadership, being adaptive, listening to and learning from subordinates (reverse mentorship), and an inversion of expertise. What single piece of leadership advice would you give to post 9/11 Soldiers who are quickly becoming tomorrow’s leaders in this fast paced world that we live in today?
Thank you for your time sir and I look forward to reading you new book!
Your TED talk, “Listen, learn...then lead” from 2011 has been truly inspiring and I learn something new about leadership each time I listen to it. You spoke of a time during an NTC rotation following an AAR or as you called it “leadership by humiliation”, where you felt you were a failure and had let your Battalion Commander down. Your Battalion Commander, however said “Stanley, I thought you did great!” and in this one sentence your commander was able to make a significant impact on you, teaching you an important lesson about leadership.
This story reminded me of a time when SPC McCloud, a young paratrooper was based at Camp Syverson, Iraq as an Intelligence Analyst for CJSOTF-AP in 2007. I was sitting in our newly built DFAC as I did every day for lunch when then, LTG McChrystal, walked in. You walked in without an entourage, got some food, and sat down right next to me and another SPC. Of course we were quite nervous at the time seeing a 3 star general sit down next to us in an act that was not protocol for most General Officers. I don’t even remember what was discussed but this one small gesture left a lasting impact on me as a young soldier knowing that we have senior leaders who are grounded and truly care about the troops.
In this TED talk and in your new book you talk about flattening the network, transparent leadership, being adaptive, listening to and learning from subordinates (reverse mentorship), and an inversion of expertise. What single piece of leadership advice would you give to post 9/11 Soldiers who are quickly becoming tomorrow’s leaders in this fast paced world that we live in today?
Thank you for your time sir and I look forward to reading you new book!
Leadership lessons from General (Retired) Stanley McChrystal - What did you take away from his...
General (Retired) Stanley McChrystal gives a TED Talk on military lessons learned from his 34 years of service. This is a great watch for all members of the military and also has application to the civilian workforce as well. The first few minutes of the talk is dedicated to what it is like for a paratrooper going through the airborne timeline. It is quite entertaining as he must simplify everything for the audience to grasp exactly what we go...
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GEN Stanley McChrystal
Sir - welcome to RallyPoint and thank you for your time.
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I was a NCOIC for an Iraqi National Police Transition Team in Baghdad in 2006, and deployed several more times during the Iraq conflict. I am currently a NCOIC for an ANA TAA team here in Afghanistan and like 2006 with the Iraqis, I can see the level of readiness in the Afghan Security Forces.
Do you think that we are making the same mistake here in Afghanistan that we did in Iraq? Are we leaving the Afghan forces "half ass" ready to defend their country?
Sir - welcome to RallyPoint and thank you for your time.
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I was a NCOIC for an Iraqi National Police Transition Team in Baghdad in 2006, and deployed several more times during the Iraq conflict. I am currently a NCOIC for an ANA TAA team here in Afghanistan and like 2006 with the Iraqis, I can see the level of readiness in the Afghan Security Forces.
Do you think that we are making the same mistake here in Afghanistan that we did in Iraq? Are we leaving the Afghan forces "half ass" ready to defend their country?
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Sir,
Could you tell us about your most memorable grog bowl ceremony that you attended/participated in?
What ingredient(s) did you personally contribute (or that another Soldier contributed, that had significant memorable meaning to you), and what did that/those ingredient(s) stand for?
Thank you, Sir.
Could you tell us about your most memorable grog bowl ceremony that you attended/participated in?
What ingredient(s) did you personally contribute (or that another Soldier contributed, that had significant memorable meaning to you), and what did that/those ingredient(s) stand for?
Thank you, Sir.
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