McChrystal Group

In emergency management, blue sky days are crucial. It's during these moments leaders prepare for the unknown. On seemingly calm days, some emergency managers grapple with creating “decision space,” which is the conceptual area within which a leader or team has the authority and autonomy to make decisions without needing approval from higher-ups. This means they can't fully capitalize on their blue sky days to prepare for when things get bad. The absence of decision space can manifest in various ways. These include stress and reduced problem-solving skills, delayed or lack of execution, inability to prioritize effectively, minimal productivity, communication and collaboration issues, and little to no alignment among the team with broader organizational goals. McChrystal Group's Erin Sutton explains how emergency management professionals can prioritize, delegate, and collaborate to create more decision space: https://lnkd.in/exriR66m

We’re #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested? McChrystal Group is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and experienced Senior Executive Assistant to support our CEO and Chairman, General Stan McChrystal, at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA. This role is central to maximizing the CEO’s time and achieving McChrystal Group's strategic objectives. As a Senior Executive Assistant, you’ll engage with industry leaders, manage complex schedules, and support the growth of a dynamic organization. If you have 5-10 years of experience in executive support, excel in a fast-paced environment, and are ready to take on a role with high expectations and unique opportunities, we’d love to hear from you.

A double feature of leader development! David Livingston, Ed.D., starts by highlighting the 6 differentiators that distinguish great leader development programs from good ones. https://lnkd.in/eaFwi8CA It's not enough to develop your leaders if they aren't bringing what they learned from their programs back to their teams. Daniel Kenny, Ph.D., outlines how to embed a culture of learning into the fabric of an organization’s culture.   https://lnkd.in/e6_wNHqH Subscribers to our Leader's Journal newsletter got these resources first, so be sure to sign up to have these insights and much more delivered to directly to your inbox! https://lnkd.in/es8AbHUT

How can developing your leaders with intentional focus on their behaviors have an impact on a team or employee's decision making? The link is more direct than you may think. When leaders are able to empower their teams to execute and own decisions, productivity is unlocked as valuable time is saved. Better understand how leader behavior shapes a team's decision making processes.

We believe in great teams. Great teams navigate hard times together, solve complex problems, and, most importantly, give us the sense of connectedness that is so important in today’s uncertain world. We also believe great teams must come together occasionally to share meals, learn from each other, and discuss what's working and what isn't. Learn about how we lead gatherings for teams of all scopes and sizes: https://lnkd.in/e2jY9YSP

The reality is your teams are likely executing on multiple projects at any given time. So how do they know which one should take priority? Or which one will have the most impact on the organization's bottom line or performance? We’ve seen this divide intensify when business units work on competing, siloed efforts rather than toward the collective goals of the organization. Only 52% of employees surveyed in our database say when their team is executing multiple projects, leadership articulates which one should take priority to support organizational objectives. That's where common purpose comes in. When done right, common purpose serves as the organizational "glue" that aligns and motivates high-caliber talent towards achieving extraordinary results. When every team member sees how their role creates collective impact in service of an inspirational purpose, it unlocks a powerful unity that propels an organization. Uncover the 7 essential principles for common purpose in this piece from Daniel Kenny, Ph.D.

What kind of Chief of Staff do you need? Before there was McChrystal Group, and before there was Team of Teams®, U.S. Army General Stan McChrystal was leading the fight against an elusive and deadly enemy—Al Qaeda in Iraq—in the mid-2000s. McChrystal Group’s Vice Chairman, Christopher Fussell, was his aide-de-camp, helping manage information flow and team collaboration. This role is similar to most organizations' chiefs of staff. The chief of staff role is a complicated beast. It requires a delicate balance of managing relationships, time, and the environment so an executive can drive the organization's short-, medium-, and long-term strategies. Chiefs are many things, but most importantly, they are an extension of the executive. When Chris navigated the role, it was clear from the outset that this wasn’t just another position. It was a pivotal moment where the relationship between a visionary leader and a dedicated aide redefined the function of a Chief of Staff. Chris was not just managing schedules or briefing books; he was deeply embedded in the strategic processes transforming how their Joint Special Operations Task Force operated. General McChrystal’s trust in Chris, born out of countless shared experiences in the heat of battle, laid the foundation for a powerful and adaptable chief of staff framework. Their collaboration emphasized the importance of empowered execution and the ability to act decisively under pressure—principles central to our Chief of Staff development today. Our Chief of Staff Framework isn’t just a theoretical model. It’s a battle-tested approach rooted in the very real challenges faced by General McChrystal and Chris during one of the most intense periods of modern military history. This framework is built on the lessons from Team of Teams® and One Mission on cultivating a Chief of Staff who is not only a strategic advisor but also a force multiplier for organizational leadership. As we continue to guide the next generation of leaders, we carry forward the legacy of this powerful partnership, helping organizations build Chiefs of Staff that are integral to their success. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just stepping into the role, the question remains: What kind of Chief of Staff do you need? See how our tools and expertise can transform your chiefs of staff and, ultimately, your organization: https://lnkd.in/gAT92JXm

🏈 It's about time to kickoff your weekend, Leaders! We'll dive into the new #kickoff rules to prep for Week 2 of the National Football League (NFL) Preseason. Meanwhile, here are three insightful articles that every executive should read to close out Friday strong: 🔍 Mastering Red Teaming: Learn the art of asking “What if?” and uncover five critical lessons from the Joint Special Operations Command in red teaming, designed to challenge assumptions and enhance decision-making. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFDB4Thn 💡 Leading Through Change: Uncover strategies to lead your organization through periods of significant transformation effectively. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePMEjA6H 📊 Data-Driven Decision Making: Learn how leveraging data can enhance decision-making and improve organizational outcomes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gD_DdGEC Want these and other powerful resources delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the "Leader's Journal" delivered to your email inbox every other Wednesday: https://lnkd.in/eJzknXus

It's time to prioritize internal meetings. In today's fast-paced business world, internal meetings are often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in team alignment and decision-making. This article dives into why prioritizing preparation for these meetings can significantly enhance their effectiveness, leading to better outcomes for your team: https://lnkd.in/guBTX5pz #EffectiveMeetings #McChrystalGroup #Preparation

Communicating Risk: Why Language Matters As leaders, how we talk about risk can profoundly impact how our teams understand and respond to it. The risk equation—Risk = Threat x Vulnerability—provides a powerful lens to assess the challenges we face. While threats may be beyond our control, we can make a difference by addressing vulnerabilities within our systems. Just like wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of injury in a car, focusing on mitigating internal vulnerabilities helps us communicate and, inevitably, control the overall risk our organizations face. Clear and specific communication about risk is crucial. By breaking down complex concepts and focusing on what we can control, we can confidently lead our teams through uncertain environments. Learn more about the risk equation and effective risk assessment in this #WeeklyWhiteboard by Christopher Fussell: https://lnkd.in/er78GWzR #RiskManagement #Leadership #RiskEquation #RiskAssessment #OrganizationalResilience #McChrystalGroup