CREATIVITY AND ETHICS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M00165A000300050011-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2004
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: July 1, 1977
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Fe 2004/04/01 : CIA-RDP80M001657sCg300050011-5
SUBJECT: Creativity and Ethics
1 ,1u1. 1977
Last fall, as a result of my concern over the need to maintain our
creativity in the face of new restrictions and controls, I commissioned a
small group of officers to brainstorm on this subject. The result was a
study entitled "Summary Report -- Two Seminars on-Creativity and Ethics
in the CIA," which I sent to you in March.
In February, I asked the Deputies to meet with their operating com-
ponent chiefs to discuss the findings contained in the study. I wanted to
determine the extent to which the findings would receive broader-based
agreement and which ones might not lend themselves to Agency-wide implementation.
Reports by the DDA and the DDS&T on discussions they held are attached.
In summary, the following views emerge from the two reports:
Creativity - There is a general concern that current fiscal
constraints and approval processes are so cumbersome that it is
not worth the effort to get green lights for new ideas.
Decisionmaking - The reaction was mixed on whether more
authority should be delegated downward. A widespread view
is that too many decisions are bucked upward to the topmost
levels.
Channels of Communication and Dissent - There appears to be a
general feeling that managers must make a greater effort to keep
channels of communication open and recognize the need to commend
as well as condemn. The existing channels for dissent were viewed
by the DDS&T group as inadequate because they are too formal and
associated with the chain of command.
Canon of Ethics - Both groups felt it was not a good idea to
try to stipulate a code. The feeling was unanimous within the
DDA group, where the issue was viewed as a personal one for which
the example of good leadership would be more effective. In the
DDS&T, it was felt that ethics cannot be legislated and that
Agency standards are already high.
Reports by the DDI and DDO will be completed next week. I will
see that Is informed of the results of all the Directorate
discussions.
/s/ E. H. knochd'
Attachments
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 Approved For -Release 2004/04/01 : CIA-RDP80MOO165A000300050011-5
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