CIA'S STATEMENT OF GOALS PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00885R001001040080-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 14, 2009
• Sequence Number: 80
• Publication Date: February 21, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2009/04/14: CIA-RDP86B00885RO01001040080-3
o/ao j,~y
21 February 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM Deputy Director for Intelligence
SUBJECT CIA's Statement of Goals, Principles and
Standards
1. The attached two notebooks contain the submissions from
every branch in the Directorate of Intelligence on the purpose
and values of CIA and their reactions to the DCI draft. They are
organized by office. Attached to this memorandum is a draft I
prepared based on reading all of the submissions and on extended
discussion with the Office Directors.
2. The reaction to the overall effort has been enormously
positive; the reaction to your draft more mixed. The principal
concerns expressed were that the DCI draft did not underscore
adequately the uniqueness of CIA and its people and that it also
was insufficiently inspirational for an Agency "credo". The only
other widespread criticism was the reference in the section on
measures of results to the "satisfaction" of our customers. Many
in the Directorate believe that we do our best work when we tell
the decisionmaker things that he or she may in fact not like to
hear. Indeed, you will see in the submissions almost uniformly
an enormous stress -- reflecting clearly deeply felt views -- as
to the importance of the integrity and independence of our
work. It seemed to me that what you meant was the satisfaction
of our customers needs rather than telling them what they want to
hear and so in my draft I have made that somewhat more explicit.
3. One of the suggestions made (by one of the OGI branches,
whose submission I have clipped) was that this statement be
expressed as a credo rather than a statement; in other words,
that it be a series of simple declarative assertions rather than
a more prosaic series of paragraphs. I found that persuasive and
thus you will see my draft is structured in that way. I think it
makes for a stronger statement and comes across more as something
one might post on a wall rather than file in a book of
regulations. It provides a format for a more inspirational
approach as well. I strongly commend it.
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4. Mechanics aside, you should be aware that you have
ignited strong emotions with this endeavor. Across this entire
Agency, for a little while, the veil of cynicism dropped and
people gave voice to their'-deepest feelings about this Agency,
what it stands for and their views of themselves and their
management. They have collectively expressed a view not only of
the Agency's principles but of the standards of management,
leadership and treatment of employees to which CIA should and
must aspire. By the same token, they have measured reality
against these standards and in many instances found the
institution wanting. Their concerns and their unhappiness over a
number of things comes through in the submissions.
5. In your undertaking this effort, it is my perception
that the employees believe you have undertaken an obligation to
close the gap between reality and their aspirations -- an
obligation all of us in senior management now must address. We
must look for ways to improve the treatment of our employees, to
promote greater authorities and responsibility being delegated to
lower levels of management, to foster better communication, and
to break down some of the bureaucratic barriers noted in the
submissions. I believe when you have read through all of the
submissions from all of the Directorates and reach a decision on
what the credo should look like, that before issuing it you and
John should sit down with the four deputies, Briggs and Taylor
perhaps for several hours to talk about this entire undertaking
and not only what the final version of the credo should look like
but its implications for management. I have the very strong
impression that if some action -- perhaps a whole series of
smaller actions rather than one or two dramatic ones -- do not
flow from this effort, we are all going to be in serious trouble
with the people of this Agency. As one of the branches in ALA
stated:
"We, as a group, agreed that the statement of purpose
and ideals the Agency is drafting will have meaning only
in the light of effort toward its implementation. We
believe that the process CIA has now begun cannot stop
with the formulation of such a statement; failure to
move in areas where the stated goal and present reality
do not coincide would be exceptionally destructive to
morale. By undertaking this project, we believe that
all levels within CIA are accepting a commitment to
follow through beyond the stages of both goal
identification and problem definition. Our success --
as that of any business or organization -- will depend
ultimately not on what we say we ought to be but what we
show ourselves to be."
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As said in response to that statement, "Now that we
have convinced our people to jump on the bandwagon, they are
going to insist we take them somewhere."
Robert . Gates
Attachment:
DRAFT CIA Credo
DDI submission (two notebooks)
DISTRIBUTION:
0 - DCI, w/notebooks
1 - ADCI
1 - EXDIR
1 - ER
1 - DDI Registry
1 - DDI Chrono
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The CIA Credo
We are the nation's unique first line of defense. We
provide to the President and other decisionmakers the best and
most objective possible information, understanding and warning of
developments abroad affecting the security of the United States.
We perform other activities we uniquely are empowered by law
to undertake and which benefit the strength and safety of the
United States and its people.
Our Ethics
We conduct our activities always according to the
Constitution and laws of the United States.
We conduct ourselves, given the uniqueness of our calling,
according to the highest personal standards of integrity,
morality and honor.
Our People
We recognize our people as our most important resource. We
select the best and work to make them better. We treat them with
respect and dignity.
We seek people with courage, creativity, independence and an
innovative spirit.
We place highest value on people who instill mutual trust
and confidence, give their best effort at all times, subordinate
their own needs and desire for public recognition to our mission,
strive for constant professional improvement, and demand
unflagging loyalty to each other and to the principles of free
government.
Our Leaders
We seek at every level leaders who inspire excellence and
foster our highest values by personal example.
We seek leaders with a bias for action, problem solving and
flexibility; who break down bureaucratic barriers to outstanding
performance and promote cooperation and teamwork by all elements
of CIA to accomplish our mission.
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We seek leaders who stimulate initiative, maximum personal
responsibility, creativity, and the professional growth of all.
Our leaders strive to promote risk-taking and experimentation,
knowing that occasional failure is an inevitable result of the
pursuit of excellence.
We seek leaders devoted to improving the well-being of our
people and to treatment of them befitting their quality and
skills.
We demand from our leaders an attitude that strives for
improved performance without resting on past achievements; that
maintains clear goals; that gives our people freedom of action;
that welcomes constructive self criticism and implements
effective remedies; and that inspires pride and excellence.
Our Measure of Success
We accomplish our mission when we meet the needs of those
whom we serve. The measure of our success is the contribution of
our efforts to the protection, preservation and advancement of
American security and strategic interests. The impact of that
contribution depends upon its effectiveness, accuracy, total
honesty and overall quality.
Our Standards
We seek to exemplify in everything we do:
performance of the highest quality;
ethics and integrity of the highest order;
development of outstanding skills, confidence, and
personal resources in our people;
utilization of the most effective technologies;
capability and flexibility to meet tough and sudden
challenges;
leadership and recognition as the best intelligence
service in the world.
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