Keith Lippert, Vice Admiral (Retd), Communication and Change

Before becoming the Chief Strategy Officer for Accenture National Security Services, Keith Lippert spent thirty-eight years in the US Navy and rose to the rank of Vice Admiral. In his final posting, he was the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, a role he assumed just two months before the events of 9/11 and at a time when there was some discussion about doing away with the DLA.

Just to set some context, leading the DLA is no small thing.  It manages 5.2 million items and the twenty-three thousand civilian and military personnel deal with fifty-eight thousand requests for material a day.

In this conversation with Keith we talk about what had to happen to focus on more Great Work, how the burning platform of 9/11 was important but not sufficient to drive change,  and the role of communication is driving success.  Here are two gems from the interview.  Keith’s perspective on changing a legacy system, and the degree of maturity required to do that.  And that  in an organization focused on moving and managing material, the need to better focus on and engage the people of the DLA became critical.

Listen to my interview with Keith Lippert

0:16 Michael introduces Keith Lippert

4:19 We talk about what had to happen to focus on more Great Work

7:29 How the burning platform of 9/11 was important but not sufficient to drive change

9:44 The role of communication in driving success

11:15 Keith’s perspective on changing a legacy system, and the degree of maturity required to do that

12:54 That in an organization focused on moving and managing material, the need to better focus on and engage the people of the DLA became critical.

27:48 How to find out more about Accenture and Keith Lippert

29:12 Michael closes the interview

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