EXCELLENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R001804360041-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 20, 2011
• Sequence Number: 41
• Publication Date: October 21, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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SEC T
21 October 1985
MEMORANDUM FOR: Excellence Task Force Members:
Executive Officer, DDA
Executive Assistant, DDI
Executive Officer, Career Management Staff, DDO
Executive Assistant, DDS&T
Administrative Officer, DCI
FROM: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Excellence
1. I appreciate very much your selection and presentation of the 27
examples of unusual. initiative and achievement. I will send a personal letter
to each of the individuals involved along the lines of the sample you have
drafted. I would also like to meet with some of those involved in the more
significant of your selections. I would find this very satisfying personally
and I think it would be well if this indication of my interest got around.
2. I think I would like to talk with some people involved in examples 1,
2, a small group in 5, and 7. I would like to see the target studies indicated
in 11 and the work plan for analysts indicated as the second item in 9. I
would like to see the paper today if possible and talk to the individuals later.
I would like to see the Intelligence Assessment in example 22. I would like to
either hear or read about examples in 13 and 14. In addition, I want to send
out a one or two page bulletin to the organization about this review indicating
very briefly the substance of those selections which can be discussed without
security or other damage in their being known about. It should be presented in
a manner which highlights the initiative represented by these examples and the
cross-fertilization between different units and disciplines in the organization.
You might stress this as one of the important factors of our activity which has
developed out of this excellence program.
3. This message might be keyed timewise to the laying of the cornerstone
of the new building and refer to the value this will have in bringing more of our
people and activities together and in closer touch with each other. It should
incorporate more of this cross-fertilization, etc.
William J. Casey
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Operations
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
Chairman, E Career Service
FROM: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Excellence
1. At the conclusion of my remarks on Excellence to CIA employees in the
Auditorium on 13 June 1985, I said that about every three months or as
frequently as appropriate, we will make available to you a more comprehensive
listing of initiatives taken and outstanding performances turned in than I was
able to give you at the time. As I had hoped and expected, this stimulated
new ideas and practical initiatives as well as inspired by example. When the
spirit of Excellence takes hold, whole groups resonate, reflecting a real
harmony of purpose and new heights of effectiveness and production. I have
selected specific items from among the many examples of Excellence you sent me
on 14 August and have attached them for dissemination to your employees.
2. I regret that I cannot share with you some of the best examples of
Excellence, but there is a very good reason why I cannot. We are the best
intelligence outfit in the world because we are a silent service; we have, for
over 35 years, maintained the highest standards of security and compartmen-
tation. Many of our colleagues have performed tasks which have set new
standards for Excellence, but their achievements are celebrated privately,
within the small circle of coworkers who share a stake in their accomplish-
ments. They know who they are and they have my highest respect and
appreciation. I commend them just as I do those responsible for the
accomplishments I want to share with you in this report.
3. Excellence at CIA is a product of teamwork at all levels. It is part
of our culture. One of the principal responsibilities of the leadership, from
section chiefs to the very top, is to create an environment in which all of
our people feel encouraged to take the initiative to improve the quality of
our work. This includes recruiting agents, planning covert action, designing
sophisticated collection systems, doing analysis and providing support. I
would like each of you to share these examples of Excellence at a forthcoming
staff meeting with your office directors and, in the DDO, with the division
chiefs. I would like you to ask them, in turn, to present these examples at
their staff meetings. They, in turn, should pass the word on down the
leadership chain so that the examples can reach all Agency employees. I hope
and expect this will stimulate new ideas and practical initiatives, as well as
inspire by example.
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