Hagel warns: Don’t ‘micromanage’ Pentagon

Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is offering some management advice, warning against attempts to “micromanage” the Pentagon.

During a town hall Thursday with soldiers at Fort Bliss, Texas, Hagel said his biggest challenge after budget cuts was handling the complexity of his department.

{mosads}”Well the Department of Defense … is the largest enterprise in the world. It’s the most complicated,” he said, noting the “staggering” numbers of troops and civilians. 

“I’ve always thought the smartest leaders are the ones that will let people manage. You cannot micromanage or even attempt to micromanage this department,” he continued. 

Hagel announced in November that he was stepping down from his post, amid news reports describing tensions between White House and Pentagon officials. Some reports suggested the secretary believed he was being micromanaged by the White House and was frustrated by foreign policy decisions. 

Two former Defense secretaries, Leon Panetta and Robert Gates, have complained about being micromanaged and criticized President Obama’s managerial style.

However, Hagel’s remarks Wednesday appeared to refer to his own management practices.

“You have to rely on the leaders of each department. Now, you as secretary of Defense, and my team, have the responsibility of ensuring you have the right leaders,” he said. 

“But if you think you have the right leaders, then let them do their job.”