Special Forces

Is it just me, or has the World become one giant credential parade?

I am going to try and make this a regular feature.

The working title is:

**The Sunday Slop**

*Another week. Another guru.*

Former Navy SEAL.

Former Secret Service.

Former MI6.

Former Commando.

Former Special Operations.

Former Intelligence Officer.

Former Special Agent.

Former Operator.

Former Tactical Something.

Former Strategic Something Else.

At this point I am beginning to wonder whether LinkedIn has a minimum special forces requirement for thought leadership.

Perhaps I am missing something, but when did "former" become a qualification in itself?

I completely understand that experience matters. If somebody spent years in the military, intelligence services, law enforcement or government, that is impressive and deserves respect.

What I struggle with is understanding how it automatically translates into expertise in AI, cyber, leadership, governance, risk, culture, strategy, marketing, sales and business transformation.

Maybe I need to update my own profile.

Brian Couzens

Former Visiting Lecturer

Former Accountant

Former Insurance Professional

Former Compliance Manager

Former Project Manager

Former Trainer

Former Business Analyst

Former Intelligence Analyst

Former Walker of Long Distances

Current Survivor of LinkedIn Thought Leadership

The question is genuine.

Do people actually make decisions based on these titles?

Do clients buy because somebody was once a SEAL, a spy or a special agent?

Or do they buy because the person demonstrates expertise, evidence, results and the ability to solve a problem?

Perhaps I am just becoming cynical in my old age.

For context, I once worked in British intelligence.

I was never in the Special Forces.

I was never a Commando.

I was never a SEAL.

I was never a Special Agent.

So what does that make me?

Ineligible for what? Be Kind now answers below

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