John Hillen on 7 Stalls in Leadership to Overcome
Dr. John Hillen, a long-time government contracting leader and former assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, recently gave a presentation to Ivy: The Social University on his book, “What Happens Now: Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You.” It discusses how leaders should develop themselves and outlines the seven stalls they
Excerpt: What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself As A Leader Before Your Business Outruns You
Few leaders will admit it, but again and again the growth of their organizations outruns their skills. If you’re one of those leaders, you know the result: as the job grows bigger than you, you get disoriented by a world of unfamiliar challenges. You hit a wall of ineffectiveness, a stall point. And then
John Hillen: How to Grow Leaders and Businesses — At the Same Time
What happens when a company grows, but its leaders don’t? It’s called “organizational wreckage,” and it can be avoided easily — if you know the tell-tale signs, according to one executive. George Mason University’s School of Business’ executive in residence Dr. John Hillen this month spoke to WashingtonExec’s General Managers Council on how to evolve as
Gordon Foster of ASRC Federal on Creating Functional, Strategic Leaders
ASRC Federal Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Gordon Foster recently served as keynote speaker to WashingtonExec’s Strategic Human Capital Council, highlighting how to build both functional and strategic leaders. All businesses require tactical stakeholders to operate efficiently, including finance, accounting and human capital management. However, in periods of intense growth or contraction, business strategy and
SECAF Elects New Leadership
The Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum has chosen new leadership for its board of directors. SECAF appointed Kathy Albarado (president and CEO of Helios HR) as chair of the board, and Curt Anderson (director of strategic alliances for CSSI Inc.) as vice chair. Mark Melton (partner at Cordia Partners) will be SECAF’s treasurer, and
Charlie Sowell Joins iWorks Corp.’s Executive Team
Industry and intelligence community veteran Charlie Sowell is joining iWorks Corp., the company has announced. He’ll be leading its personnel security line of business, and focusing on insider threats, security clearance reform and background investigation technology markets. “I am excited to join the iWorks team,” Sowell said. “iWorks is a leader in personnel security technology
This Weekend: Women’s Center Leadership Conference
The Women’s Center is holding its 31st annual leadership conference April 22, at the McLean Hilton. Featured speakers include Arati Prabhakar, former director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; the inventor of GloveStix, Krista Woods; and Maj. Gen. Kimberly Crider of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. This year, the event has a new feature,
Learning about Leadership at WashingtonExec
“If I asked you to do one thing and you’d get half a million dollars—and by the way, it’s legal and your parents would be proud of you—would you do it?” Ed Swallow asked a room full of students and parents at WashingtonExec’s Education and Leadership event last week. “This isn’t a trick question.” Most of
Executives Gather for 13th Annual HR Leadership Awards Gala
The HR Leadership Awards Gala drew a crowd last week to the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. for the 13th annual event to celebrate leaders and collaboration within the HR industry and the granting of awards and three scholarships. Marymount University founded the gala in 2001 to each year honor executives deemed “outstanding” contributors to
Vistronix CEO Deepak Hathiramani Shares His Summer Reading List
WashingtonExec Summer Reading List Series: It might not yet “officially” be summer, but with rising temperatures beckoning the start of patio cookout season, WashingtonExec asked area executives which books they planned to peruse this summer. Deepak Hathiramani is the chief executive of Vistronix, Inc., an IT solutions company he founded more than twenty years ago. Hathiramani also sits on the Senior
Chad Sweet, co-Founder and CEO of The Chertoff Group, Talks Five-Year Anniversary, M&A Outlook and Transitioning to the Private Sector
WashingtonExec caught up with Chad Sweet, co-founder and chief executive officer of The Chertoff Group to discuss a variety of topics, including The Chertoff’s five year anniversary, his M&A Outlook and retaining the firm’s top talent pipeline. Sweet also gave detailed advice to those planning to retire from federal service and enter the private sector;
SAVE THE DATE: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Set for June 19
Twenty-nine Greater Washington area entrepreneurs made the finalist cut for this year’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards set for June 19 at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner. An independent judging panel comprised of regional business leaders and previous award recipients compiled the list, and winners will be revealed at the black-tie
Korn Ferry Names Doug Charles as President of the Americas
Doug Charles joined Korn Ferry in December as President for the Americas, a top leadership and talent consulting services firm. Charles most recently served as CEO of Capgemini Government Solutions. The executive in his new role will oversee more than 20 offices to drive and integrate client strategy within the Americas geography, which he said
How the U.S. Navy Perpetually Produces Top Business Leaders: Interviews with Local Executives
For the civilian world, leadership is choice. Some make the choice to become leaders and inspire action, some don’t. In the military leadership is a necessity. The large presence of senior-level executives across industry with military backgrounds is a testimony to the military’s ability to produce great leaders. The U.S. Navy, in particular, has a
INSA Strengthens Leadership Team, Adds New Members to Board of Directors
The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) has appointed five new members to its Board of Directors and four new members to its Board of Advisors for the 2014 term. These leaders, from careers across the intelligence and national security communities — industry, government and academia — will bring INSA new insight and expertise to
Security Clearance Reform: the Potential for Progress has Never Been Better
Charles Sowell, former Deputy Assistant Director for Special Security at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is a senior vice president at Salient Federal Solutions in Fairfax, Virginia. Recent tragedies have highlighted numerous flaws in our current security clearance vetting process, but the future holds great promise for real transformation. Key drivers for
LEADERSHIP CONVERSATIONS COLUMN: When You and Your Team MUST Succeed
Written by Alan Berson, Author, Leadership Conversations Common Decision-Making Challenge: Think of the most important decision your team needs to make. It must be correct and you know that everyone must be in agreement or the subsequent actions will not succeed. But there are 10 to 15 on your team, with three to five hiding
Kelly Jones, VP of Human Capital Solutions at The SI Organization, Inc. on People, Strategies and Human Capital Processes
Kelly Jones is the Vice President of Human Capital Solutions at The SI Organization, Inc. (the SI), a leading provider of full life cycle, mission-focused systems engineering and integration capabilities to customers within the Intelligence and Defense communities. Jones is committed to providing a unique, compelling work environment that promotes mission success, professional growth, and
IntelliDyne CEO Tony Crescenzo Talks Strategy, Mentorship, Culture of Accountability
To Tony Crescenzo’s 17-year-old daughter Kate, her dad’s job at IntelliDyne, LLC is to “get other people to do stuff.” The former Marine took on the role of CEO at IntelliDyne in June — a post he ventured into after serving as the COO for the past two years. “I would say my current role
LEADERSHIP CONVERSATIONS COLUMN: Could Snowden’s Outburst Have Been Contained?
By Alan Berson That is the question being urgently asked at, and of, the most secretive Federal agencies and the largest government contracting firms. Either he chose to hold everything in until he pounced on the world stage or more likely he left unheard clues. I can’t help but wonder what type of relationship Snowden
Gen. Michael Hayden Receives 29th Annual Baker Award
The (INSA) on Friday bestowed the 29th Annual to General Michael V. Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA). The Award recognized Gen. Hayden’s service as well as his commitment and dedication to the country’s intelligence agencies and military. Gen. Jim Clapper, Director of U.S. National Intelligence
INSA Adds Six New Board of Directors Members & Five New Board of Advisors Members
The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) is about to make some new additions to its team. Six new members for the Board of Directors and five new members for the Board of Advisors will join new Board Chairman, Ambassador John Negroponte, and current Board members in further strengthening INSA’s leadership team. “As the new
New Leadership Appointments at Northrop Grumman
Gary W. Ervin, Northrop Grumman’s corporate vice president and president of Aerospace Systems, and James F. Pitts, also a corporate vice president and president of Electronic Systems, will retire in February and at the end of this year, respectively. “I wish to personally thank Gary and Jim for their exemplary leadership and significant contributions to
GUEST COLUMN: Have You Had Your Leadership Conversations Today?
By Alan S. Berson Richard Stieglitz, who founded RGS, and I will be writing a leadership column for WashingtonExec over the coming year. The focus will be on developing and enhancing your management and leadership mindsets to conduct the conversations that will connect you with your team and other stakeholders; aligning them with your vision
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