EP 125: Former CIA agent shares rapid decision making & navigating career decisions

Summary

In this podcast, former CIA counterterrorism intelligence officer Michelle Hassad shares her experiences from her book 'Breaking Cover.' She discusses the challenges of being a female operative in the Middle East, her strategies for gaining the trust of terrorist sources, and the importance of emotional intelligence in her work. Michelle emphasizes the value of understanding cultural nuances, planning for the unexpected, and the psychological aspects of her interactions. She also offers advice on overcoming perceived limitations and using unique strengths to achieve success.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Michelle Hassad, a former CIA intelligence officer, shares her experiences in counterterrorism and counterintelligence, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural nuances and psychological strategies.
• 🌐 Her career largely took place in the Middle East, where she had to navigate complex social dynamics and gender biases to effectively engage with sources and subjects.
• 👥 Michelle, along with her husband Joseph, now serves as a consultant for companies operating in the Middle East, focusing on inspiring others to overcome fears and fulfill their missions.
• 🗣️ She discusses the challenge of being a female in a male-dominated field, particularly in cultures with strict gender roles, and how she leveraged her strengths to gain respect and cooperation.
• 🤝 Michelle shares a pivotal moment where she had to confront a terrorist, using her knowledge of Arabic and Middle Eastern culture to establish authority and credibility.
• 🧠 She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in building rapport and trust, even in high-stakes situations.
• 📚 Michelle advises on the value of becoming an expert in a niche area, using her own journey of studying the Middle East as an example of how to stand out and excel.
• 🛡️ She explains the CIA's training techniques for handling stress and high-stakes situations, including planning for potential problems and practicing responses.
• 🧘‍♀️ Michelle discusses the mental discipline required for her work, including how she used her faith to maintain focus and perseverance in challenging circumstances.
• 💼 She offers advice for those in corporate settings, suggesting the importance of understanding one's perceived image, demonstrating expertise, and earning respect through actions rather than words.

Q & A

What was Michelle Hassad's role at the CIA?

Michelle Hassad was a former CIA intelligence officer who focused on counterterrorism and counterintelligence, with the majority of her career spent in the Middle East.

What is the title of Michelle Hassad's book?

The title of Michelle Hassad's book is 'Breaking Cover'.

What challenges did Michelle face as a female CIA agent in the Middle East?

Michelle faced challenges due to cultural and ideological biases against women in roles of authority, particularly when interacting with individuals who held extremist views that women should be submissive and covered.

How did Michelle handle her first meeting with a terrorist source?

Michelle handled her first meeting by challenging the preconceived notions the source had about her as a woman. She did this by shaking his hand, speaking Arabic, and complimenting his work, which was unexpected and helped to establish her credibility.

What strategies did Michelle use to gain the respect of a terrorist source?

Michelle used strategies such as speaking Arabic, complimenting the source's work, and demonstrating her intelligence and knowledge about the Middle East to gain his respect and cooperation.

How did Michelle's mentors in the CIA initially perceive her role as a female agent?

Michelle's mentors initially perceived her role as a female agent as a weakness due to cultural norms and expectations in the Middle East, but she turned this into a strength using her emotional intelligence and knowledge.

What advice does Michelle give to those looking to excel in their careers?

Michelle advises becoming an expert in a specific area, understanding what others think of you, and demonstrating your expertise through actions rather than words.

How did Michelle mentally prepare for high-stakes situations?

Michelle mentally prepared by planning for things to go wrong, training her brain to expect problems, and practicing scenarios to react quickly and effectively when the unexpected occurs.

What is the importance of understanding one's own perceived limitations according to Michelle?

Understanding one's own perceived limitations is important because it allows individuals to challenge those notions and use them to their advantage, as Michelle did by leveraging her unique position as a female agent.

How does Michelle's faith influence her approach to handling stress and challenges?

Michelle's faith provides her with a mindset of humility and service, focusing on the present and trusting in divine guidance for future opportunities, which helps her maintain composure and perseverance in challenging situations.

What is the significance of planning for problems in high-stakes operations according to the script?

Planning for problems is significant because it trains the brain to be nimble and ready to react effectively when things don't go as planned, reducing the likelihood of failure and increasing the ability to handle unexpected situations.