Watching the fallout from TR today and I’m reminded of one of the best emails I have ever received from a senior leader. Gen Votel’s ‘Culture of Connectedness’ email from his time at USSOCOM was and remains the single greatest philosophical argument for copious cc’ing /1

His ‘culture of connectedness’ recognised that someone, somewhere would be able to assist with a problem or add to the understanding of an issue. Not drawing them in was negligent /2

It requires smarts from the staff. Not everything is a tasker. Not everything requires immediate attention. But anyone who doesn’t contribute their relevant knowledge, skills, experience or access to solving the issue at hand or assist in greater clarity ain’t really on the team.

Most importantly it also requires and engenders trust right across the team. You get to understand what your boss is telling his higher. You are across the back and forth of scoping and framing. You can align easily to your boss’ intent in other engagements.

But breaching that trust will inevitably get your boss shot in the face. I feel for CO TR because it looks as if someone, somewhere breached that trust. The long-term fallout - no ‘culture of connectedness’ and that means we are ineffective.