In this episode of The Daily Helping, we’re joined by Jeffrey Sanow, a veteran CIA intelligence officer and security expert whose career has been shaped by high-stakes decision-making, risk management, and global operations. With years spent navigating the complexities of international intelligence, Jeffrey has developed a keen understanding of leadership, communication, and adaptability—skills that translate beyond the intelligence field into everyday life and work. He now shares these insights in his new book, Humint for Humanity: The Road Less Traveled.
Jeffrey’s journey to the CIA was anything but conventional. Growing up in a difficult household, he sought both adventure and purpose, leading him to join the Peace Corps, where he worked on farm machinery in North and Central Africa. His time abroad helped him develop an ability to assimilate into vastly different cultures, learn new languages, and navigate unfamiliar terrains—experiences that ultimately paved the way for his career in intelligence. His work in the CIA took him to some of the world's most volatile regions, where he learned firsthand the importance of taking care of his people and making tough decisions under pressure.
One of the most profound lessons Jeffrey shares is the necessity of empowering people to fail. As a leader, he understood that if his team wasn’t allowed to take risks, they wouldn’t be able to innovate or succeed. He recounts a pivotal moment when an intelligence analyst hesitated on a lead about weapons of mass destruction, fearing that it might be too late to act. His response? "You swing at every pitch." That mindset ultimately led to intercepting and stopping a critical shipment. Whether in intelligence, business, or personal life, Jeffrey’s insights remind us that failure isn’t the enemy—it’s part of the process of growth, learning, and leadership.
The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
“Everybody should be empowered to fail. If you don't empower your staff, your employees, whatever the relationship is, if you don't empower them to fail, they are not going to try their hardest to succeed. Failure is part of life.”
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Produced by NOVA