I grew up with a strong dislike for the f-word. It wasn’t a word I was comfortable using, and I don’t think I’m the only one. After all, failure is not comfortable for any of us! When I graduated from college, I worried that I might not land the perfect job or that I...
I grew up in a rural area and attended a small college. Then I moved into the fast-paced business world when I graduated. I didn’t have the life experiences of many of my colleagues, or the sophistication that comes with those experiences. There were several times I...
Not many people are excited to get a phone call from an FBI agent. They tend to be even less enthusiastic when told the agent needs to speak to them about a current investigation. Sometimes I focused on being likable; other times, I focused on how to get the job done...
A reporter once asked me whether the FBI provides textbooks for an agent to study so they can become a strong leader. The answer is no; FBI agents aren’t given instruction books. Instead, they’re taught how to face their challenges head-on. My fellow...
My parents worked hard as cattle ranchers in a remote area of Wyoming. There was no money to pay a hired hand, so my brother and I started helping out with chores at the age of six. By the age of eight, I could stack bales of hay, grease the baler, and move a hundred...
As I look back over my early career, I wish I’d taken more risks. I wish I’d been a little braver in my choices, perhaps had more confidence in my ability to land on my feet when confronted with the unknown. If you’ve thought the same thing, you’re not alone. You...
I met Oleg when I worked as an undercover FBI agent. Oleg was a Russian diplomat sent to the U.S. to steal propriety technology. My job was to find the answer to two questions: 1) what specific technology was he after, and 2) could I turn him into a double agent? The...
There are two reasons people separate themselves from the crowd: they are either bold leaders or timid followers. The rest of the herd sticks together. Bold leaders move toward obstacles and do not let hesitation or doubt impede their progress. Timid followers lurk...
As a kid growing up on a remote cattle ranch in Wyoming, it didn’t take much to make me a happy person. I loved to spend time with our animals—horses, cattle, and dogs! I was happy to do my chores and bond with my pets. In high school, it took something different to...
Few could accuse FBI agents of being soft and fluffy, and yet emotional intelligence is at the heart of most successful FBI investigations. The ability to recognize, control, and express emotions were often the single factor that led to my success as I recruited...
Recent Comments