When I became director of CIA, it was just clear to me…
“When I became director of CIA, it was just clear to me intuitively, without a whole lot of science behind it, that we had expanded rapidly and inefficiently. So I arbitrarily picked a number, 10 percent, and I said over the next 12 months, we are going to reduce our reliance on contractors by 10 percent.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Rapid growth can become inefficient; setting a modest, measurable target can drive meaningful reduction in reliance on external resources.
In simple terms: Growth can be inefficient; set a clear target to improve.
Key Takeaway
Set a specific reduction goal.
Themes
efficiency
leadership
resource management
Mood
determined
pragmatic
Type
advisory
strategic
When to use this quote
- government agencies
- private sector
- project management
- budget cuts
Key Concepts
organizational behavior
strategic planning
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you determine the right reduction percentage?
- What metrics will track success?
A Different Perspective
Target may be too arbitrary without data analysis.