My Secret Life in the CIA | Michele Rigby Assad | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Michele Rigby Assad, a former CIA officer, shares her memoir "Breaking Cover" to inspire others to overcome their fears and achieve extraordinary things.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] MICHELE RIGBY ASSAD: Thank you, guys. [APPLAUSE] Thank you so much for having me at Google. I'm really honored that you all showed up during your lunch break. Very cool. JASMINE JAKSIC: And for those in the audience who haven't read the book, can you summarize what it's about? MICHELLE RIGBY ASSAD: Sure. So the book, "Breaking Cover... Read More

Key Insights

• 😨 Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they overcome fear and push beyond their comfort zones.
• 😑 Gender bias and stereotypes can hinder career progression, but authentic self-expression and expertise can challenge and change societal perceptions.
• 👯 The Middle East is often misunderstood, with misconceptions about its people, culture, and political dynamics. Stereotyping can hinder effective intelligence gathering and counterterrorism efforts.
• 👾 Recognizing and trusting one's instincts can be crucial in identifying potential threats and staying safe in public spaces.
• 💦 The CIA can be a challenging and hostile work environment, but there are opportunities for personal growth and success by turning disadvantages into strengths.
• 🏛️ Trust is crucial in building relationships with sources, and authenticity and emotional intelligence can help overcome barriers and enable productive intelligence gathering.
• 🌍 The world of counterterrorism and intelligence gathering is complex, and the true motivations and goals of terrorist organizations may differ from popular perceptions.
• 🌐 The CIA has its flaws and is in need of innovative, strategic, and visionary leadership to adapt to evolving global challenges and improve its operations.
• 💁 Leaks of classified information, such as those by Edward Snowden, can endanger lives, hamper intelligence coordination, and strain alliances.
• ℹ️ The CIA places strict restrictions on sharing information with family and friends, especially when it comes to undercover operations, to protect sources and maintain operational security.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Michele Rigby Assad go from wanting to be a ballerina to becoming a CIA officer?

Rigby Assad initially had no interest in a career in intelligence, but her fascination with foreign affairs, sparked by reading "National Geographic," led her to study abroad in the Middle East and eventually pursue a master's degree in Arab studies at Georgetown University. She was then recruited by the CIA.

Q: How did Rigby Assad handle gender bias and being considered invisible by her mentor?

Rigby Assad had to deal with being underestimated and rendered invisible by her mentor, who struggled to accept a woman as an intelligence officer. Despite this, she used the experience to push past her insecurities and focused on learning as much as she could from her mentor, proving her capabilities through her expertise and determination.

Q: How did Rigby Assad turn perceived weaknesses, like being a female intelligence officer, into advantages?

Rigby Assad decided early on that she could not change how others viewed her gender, but she focused on honing her skills, developing her intelligence-gathering expertise, and proving herself through her actions. By becoming an expert in her field, she gained the knowledge and confidence to succeed, eventually showing that she was more than capable of carrying out difficult intelligence operations.

Q: How did Rigby Assad deal with imposter syndrome throughout her CIA career?

Rigby Assad experienced imposter syndrome, feeling inadequate and questioning her abilities throughout her CIA career. However, she chose not to quit but to persevere, reminding herself that she needed to persist and outlast her self-doubt. Over time, she gained confidence and proved herself through her intelligence-gathering abilities, eventually overcoming imposter syndrome and finding success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michele Rigby Assad's book, "Breaking Cover," is a memoir that details her career as an undercover counterterrorism officer in the CIA, primarily in the Middle East, and the challenges she faced before and after leaving the agency.

• The book aims to inspire others by showing that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they don't let fear get in their way.

• Rigby Assad shares personal anecdotes, including gender bias and the importance of authenticity in building trust with sources.