CIOs Learn from Army Teamwork
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American CIOs visiting Israel Defense Forces this spring discovered a casual approach to teamwork among IDF soldiers that some of the business technology leaders say could work back in their IT shops.
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Also see:
• American CIOs Briefed on Israeli Nano Research (video)
• Israel Treats American CIOs Royally
• General Gives CIOs Lesson on Tech Weaknesses (video)
The CIOs spent a week earlier this spring on a tour to meet Israelis sponsored by the America-Israel Friendship League, which paid the expenses of this blogger.
Comments (3)
Interesting... I work with the Israelies all the time in my job and I don't find them to be very good team players.
Posted by JP | May 22, 2008 12:16 PM
My experience working with Israelis, which is somewhat dated, is that you have to earn their respect before they will allow you to be part of the team. This might never be explicitly stated and you might be unaware that you are being evaluated. They look for expertise, hard work, and commitment.
Posted by Bernard Abramson | May 22, 2008 1:38 PM
The Israeli Defense Force was at one time revered for their military prowess. That gloss had faded as the US military has come to engage Arab armies. The Israelis, it's clear, looked good because their enemies were so very bad. It is almost comical to see CIOs strain to learn basic leadership, then come to conclusions such as, "You have to be technically astute at what your subordinates' specialties." This is a very bad lesson for someone in a senior leadership position to take away. And it is what ails the CIO in general - the tendency to be a technician promoted beyond their ability.
Posted by M. McHugh | May 28, 2008 11:35 AM