“Applying Intelligence to Business Strategy” with Jonathan B. Smith
Summary
Jonathan B. Smith (X; LinkedIn) joins Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the application of intelligence to entrepreneurship. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, author, and business strategist.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
- Building high-performance teams
- Case officers vs. entrepreneurs
- Networking and overcoming operational challenges
- Curiosity as a key trait for success
Reflections
- The will to succeed
- The power of listening and empathy
And much, much more …
Episode Notes
This week on SpyCast, Andrew was joined by Jonathan B. Smith, Co-founder of Optimize for Growth, Certified EOS Implementer, and former COO of Wave Dispersion Technology. Jonathan’s career has taken him across the globe and through a number of fascinating experiences – Including a trip on the prestigious Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. Jonathan is also closely involved with the Black Swan Group, a negotiation training company founded by former FBI Lead Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss – Who you may remember from recent SpyCast episode.
In this episode, Andrew and Jonathan discuss the surprising parallels between the lives of entrepreneurs and CIA Case Officers. Fascinatingly, we see many of the same success traits in both professions – Tune in to learn more about applying the world of intelligence to business strategy!
And…
We are lucky to have Jonathan as a member of our Advisory Board here at the International Spy Museum. An illustrious group from a diverse array of backgrounds, Jonathan now joins his fellow board members Alan Kohler, Dexter Ingram, Karen Schaefer (and many more!) as a SpyCast guest.
Quotes of the Week
“I often switch languages …I'll speak from a medical CEO's perspective versus a financial services CEO perspective. And people, when you use their language, they tend to lean in. They're like, “Oh, you understand me.” It's fascinating – People don't want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Jonathan B. Smith.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
- The Cyber Behavioral Profiler with Cameron Malin (2024)
- The FBI Hostage Negotiator with Chris Voss (2024)
- Spying and Start-Ups with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen (2022)
- From the CIA to Strategic Cyber with Hans Holmer (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
- What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do? Foundation for Economic Education, YouTube (2019) [3 min. video]
- What is EOS? Entrepreneurial Operating System (n.d.) [Fact sheet]
- Case Officer, Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) [Job description]
DEEPER DIVE
Books
- Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage, J. Hurewitz (Diversion Books, 2024)
- Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)
- Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, J. B. Smith (Chief Optimizer, 2015)
Articles
- Inside the FBI Washington Field Office Citizens Academy, S. Fox, FOX5 (2023)
- Chris Voss’s 6 Tips for Using Black Swans in a Negotiation, MasterClass (2021)
- What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? T. Stobierski, Harvard Business School (2020)
- He Beat The Odds And Created A Million-Dollar, One-Man Consultancy, E. Pofeldt, Forbes (2015)
- Global Entreprenuership Program Newsletter, U.S. Department of State (2012)
Video
- Tactical Empathy (2024)
- Mastering Entrepreneurship: Insights from EOS Implementation and Personal Growth, Business Action NZ, YouTube (2024)
