How to Think Like a Spy — Real Tactics from an Ex-Intelligence Operative

Описание: What if spycraft wasn’t just for secret agents, but for everyone?

In this revealing and thought-provoking episode of Spybrary, former British intelligence operativer Julian Fisher joins Spybrary Host Shane Whaley to discuss the central thesis of his book, Think Like a Spy: that spy skills can be taught and used in everyday life.

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From mastering influence and reading people to building trust and understanding motivations, Fisher makes the case that espionage tactics aren't about deception—they're about a deeper human connection.

Along the way, Fisher shares his personal journey, including his principled resignation over the Iraq War, insights from his time in both government and private intelligence, and his take on what popular spy fiction gets right (and wrong). Whether you're in business, leadership, sales, or want to understand people better, this episode is packed with wisdom, humour, and insights.

⏱️ Timestamps & Segments

00:00 — Conscience and Resignation
Why Julian left government service over the Iraq War.

00:36 — Can Anyone Think Like a Spy?
Exploring knowledge, aptitude, and temperament.

07:40 — A Spy's Unlikely Origin Story
From Birmingham to Oxford to the intelligence world.

13:47 — The 9 Core Spy Skills
Fisher breaks down the agent recruitment cycle into real-life skills.

14:50 — Why "Cover" is Just Personal Branding
How to present your story for influence and connection.

18:11 — Visualization, Acting & Impact
Tactical preparation tips from the world of espionage and tradecraft.

22:00 — Elicitation: The Power of Listening

28:02 — Making Difficult Ethical Decisions
How to stay aligned with your values in morally grey situations.

48:42 — Real-Life Spycraft: Meeting New People
How Fisher subtly assesses others using soft techniques.

59:52 — Reality vs Fiction: Do Spies Flash Badges?
Addressing myths around spy identification and surveillance.

1:02:12 — What Spy Fiction Gets Wrong
His critique of Slow Horses and the importance of realism.

1:09:35 — Books That Get It Right
Which spy novels reflect real espionage experience?

1:19:20 — Should You Become a Spy?
Why your motivations matter more than your skills.

1:26:05 — Secrecy, Transparency, and Trust
Why former spies can’t always say they were spies—and why that matters.

🔑 Key Topics

The agent recruitment cycle: targeting, cultivation, recruitment, handling

Knowledge, aptitude, and temperament as pillars of espionage

"Cover" as authentic personal branding

Elicitation techniques and the power of silence

Visualization, rehearsal, and preparation as influence multipliers

Moral integrity in intelligence careers

Trust-based communication in life and leadership

The dangers of "government by gaslight"

Spy fiction accuracy: what rings true and what breaks the illusion

📚 Resources & Mentions

Think Like a Spy by Julian Fisher

Julian’s Substack: https://julianfisher.substack.com

Website: https://www.julesfisher.com

Stars and Spies Leadership Lab (with Louise Osborne)
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