Like many of you, my ego is fed when I’m acknowledged for my achievements and accomplishments. My confidence is given a boost and I’m ready to tackle the next project. As with many things in life, balance and moderation is key. Too much ego can be detrimental to...
After 20 years as an investigative agent, I found myself in a comfort zone. Safely ensconced in familiar territory, I balked when asked to be the spokesperson for the FBI in Northern California. It sounded like fun and even a little glamorous because I would be...
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...
As an FBI agent, I was surrounded by people who had a strong sense of right and wrong. Research shows that emotions are strongly connected to our morality—the ability to tell right from wrong. Since strong emotions were closely connected to my fellow agents’...
Emotional intelligence is not taught at the FBI Academy, but it was essential for me to understand the difference between anxiety and sadness when I interviewed people. I needed to know whether I could trust them. I recruited foreign spies to work for the FBI so it...
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