Defense Disrupted

Ret. Vice Admiral Bob Sharp on Why Intelligence Without Planning is Just Trivia

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Ret. Vice Admiral Bob Sharp's journey from Desert Storm to NGA Director showcases how foundational experiences can shape decades of strategic thinking. His framework for intelligence-operations integration, where intelligence without operations is just trivia, and operations without intelligence is dangerous, emerged from witnessing combat operations during the Gulf War.

 

Bob also shares his leadership scaling method that involves daily "walkabouts" where he tries to make at least one person feel special on the team every day, maintaining personal connection even across 15,000 employees. His "you can't surge trust" philosophy emphasizes genuine consistency and demonstrable care over time. 

 

Resources & Events Mentioned: 

  • Desert Storm
  • National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA)
  • Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)
  • Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
  • Information Warfare Community

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    Topics Discussed:

    • Scaling leadership from targeting officer to directing 15,000-person geographically dispersed intelligence organizations through daily walkabouts to maintain connectedness.
    • Special Operations Force truths: you can't surge trust. You must build it through genuine consistency and care.
    • Intelligence without operations is trivia, operations without intelligence is dangerous.
    • Revolutionary vs evolutionary strategic environment: return to great power competition vs disruptive quantum and AI technologies.
    • Four-pillars of intelligence investment strategy: assured PNT, machine-partnered workflows, collection orchestration, and strategic data processing.
    • Demystifying the intelligence profession by explaining engineering and technology behind collection to create integrated operational teams.
    • Information Warfare Community transition from support function to unrestricted line designation and acquisition leadership roles.

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