OPINION — Not way back, I used to be speaking to an outdated buddy and China analyst in regards to the want for Intelligence Group (IC) analysts to spend considerably extra time taking a look at themselves and their very own businesses, processes, procedures, habits, biases, and many others.—in different phrases, to be extra introspective. I believed this an uncontroversial assertion because it has been nicely established in administration literature that wholesome organizations have strong introspective proclivities. However his response proved me unsuitable: “Do you could have any concept what my learn pile appears like? I’ve no time for navel-gazing.”
The above remark fantastically captures not solely the IC’s aversion to introspection but in addition what might be the primary cause for that aversion—our “mission focus.” In actual fact, for many of us “mission, mission, mission” turns into a mantra from the day we take our oaths. However that admirable mission focus additionally comes with a really actual draw back: we are inclined to see introspection as a distraction from the mission moderately than as a prerequisite to mission success. Add to that one other compelling cause for our aversion—our historic and cultural wariness about taking a look at “blue” (U.S.-related) points—and the roots of our introspective deficiencies rapidly develop into evident.
That mentioned, our aversion to introspection would possibly nicely be disputed by some observers. In any case, most of us take a number of character assessments (e.g., Myers Briggs, DISC, and many others.) in the course of the course of our service. Moreover, we do have lots of the trappings of an introspective neighborhood: organizations (e.g., Nationwide Intelligence College, Middle for the Research of Intelligence, and many others.), personnel (e.g., methodologists, tradecraft specialists, historians, and many others.), and publications (e.g., NIU’s Analysis Notes, Shorts and Monographs; CIA’s Research in Intelligence, and many others.) which can be particularly devoted to occupied with the apply of intelligence. Why, then, do I posit that we’re not sufficiently introspective?
Properly, relative to the IC’s measurement, the aforementioned trappings are, by any measure, tiny. Furthermore, though a sub-community of terribly introspective officers exists, the vast majority of them are at their most introspective when—and since—they don’t seem to be engaged on the road. As a part of my analysis, I speak to many intelligence officers, particularly line analysts. And in doing so I by no means fail to be amazed at how few appear to view routine introspective actions as very important to excessive efficiency. Positive, they see worth within the occasional class, tradecraft-focused article, or ticking off the bins on an Intelligence Group Directive 203 (Analytic Requirements) guidelines. However as a scientific, thorough, and routine exercise? Not a lot.
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Given this, the IC must basically reassess its entire conception of introspection. Now not can or not it’s ample to anticipate introspective initiatives to be carried out largely by non-line or assist entities, though their foundational introspective efforts will stay very important helps to mission. Somewhat, on prime of that foundational work, the IC should begin constructing introspective exercise into the common routines of officers actively and straight engaged on the mission. Simply as practising medical doctors and attorneys are required (not less than on paper) to have interaction in self-assessment—”reflective apply”—at the same time as they confront ever-increasing numbers of sufferers and caseloads, intelligence practitioners too should consciously make investments time and thought in frequently reflecting on how we conduct our work and methods through which we may higher obtain our mission.
There isn’t any set kind this reflective apply should take. It might be carried out in a gaggle, particular person and/or hybrid format. The one points which can be non-negotiable are that or not it’s common, resourced (notably with regard to time), and required.
In the end, and as talked about on the outset, wholesome organizations have sturdy introspective tendencies. It’s essential then, that the IC reconceives and incentivizes introspection as a elementary prerequisite to mission success and never the distraction or “navel gazing” it too usually is deemed to be.
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