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(U) Shadowing the Chief of Staff
FROM:
Pakistan Branch (S2A42)
Run Date: 04/22/2004
FROM:
Pakistan Branch (S2A42)
(U//FOUO) I recently had the opportunity to spend a day shadowing the SID Chief of Staff,
Charles Berlin. The experience was great, and it allowed me a brief glimpse of the way our
leadership is tackling the strategic issues facing the Agency.
(U//FOUO) In one day, we covered promotions, racial diversity, compensation reform, hiring
decisions, the evolving situation in Iraq, congressional queries, the impact of a major water leak
in one of the big four buildings, the question of how managers can better manage overtime to
ensure that we have a well-rested and healthy work force, and a restructuring of the SID staff.
According to Mr. Berlin, this was a "light" day.
(U//FOUO) We had meeting after meeting, with literally just minutes or seconds between most
commitments. It was an incredibly hectic pace, and it was amazing to see how quickly and
adeptly Mr. Berlin was able to shift gears. His executive assistant, Brenda Krasnodemski, was
always there when we had a free moment, getting Mr. Berlin's decisions on a never ending list of
actions. I learned that she makes every second of his time count!! His executive secretary,
was also busy juggling meeting after meeting on Mr. Berlin's calendar. Even in
such a face-paced and stressful environment, the three of them manage to maintain a sense of
humor and they all bent over backwards to make me feel welcome.
(U//FOUO) Mr. Berlin also made it a priority to find time for the two of us to chat, one-on-one,
and he was very willing to give me frank answers to my questions. He made the day extremely
interactive, asking for my input and ideas on several of the decisions he was making.
(U//FOUO) The shadowing program brought a new dimension to the many issues that we often
only read about. I highly recommend it!
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108