KEY LEADER ENGAGEMENT

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KEY LEADER ENGAGEMENT
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AIM
To present an overview of Key Leader Engagements
and their importance as an Influence Activity
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REFERENCE

• Key Leader Engagement Doctrinal Note

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MAIN TEACHING POINTS

• Definition of a Key Leader Engagement (KLE)
• Background and KLE Synch Matrix
• Battle procedure of a KLE
• Conduct of a KLE
• KLE reporting and debrief format

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SUB-UNIT LEVEL KLE TRAINING
Source DND
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KEY LEADER ENGAGEMENT (KLE)
This whole mission is all about Information
Operations. Consider me as your Precision Guided
Munition. Load me up, point me at a target and
launch me. LGen Rick Hillier, COMISAF V,
speaking to his INFO OPS Branch A Key Leader
Engagement plan was devised to ensure that
meetings were focused and that my intent was
properly articulated. General David Richards
reflects on his time as commander of the
International Security Assistance Force in
Afghanistan.
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DEFINITION

• A KLE can be defined as the conduct of a
  deliberate and focused meeting in order to
  achieve a desired effect

Source DND
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KLE

• Allows us to be in control of the what, when and
  where while meeting Key Leaders
• Intelligence is the foundation
• They are prepared and deliberate
• Good KLE will enable us to leverage support, if
  not open at least tacit in a controlled
  environment
• No to be mistaken with village assessment,
  meeting or negotiation

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BACKGROUND

• KLE is a tool within the commanders
  communication strategy
• It can be used to build rapport and confidence
  amongst various sectors of society such as the
  indigenous populace, government and security
  forces
• When linked to other military activities, it will
  influence the will and understanding of the
  approved target audience
• In the context of Comprehensive Approach, it
  enables the leveraging of support (if not open at
  least tacit) in a controlled environment

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WHO CONDUCTS KLE?

• The KLE Synch Matrix will dictate who is engaging
  who and at what level within the sub-unit
• The KLE task is given to the best person to
  achieve the desired effect
• However, always keep in perspective the status of
  the KL

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KLE SYNCHRONIZATION MATRIX

• KLE Synch Matrix is build to avoid the conduct of
  multiple meetings while insuring follow-up and
  historical data
• KLE is enables us to conduct, in time and space,
  several meetings. Thus its sequencing will help
  to achieve the desired effect
• It is kept at the TF level, who are responsible
  to implement KLE synchronization and push it
  through the TF units and sub-units
• Often, certain KL are to be engaged by only a few
  select personnel

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KLE BATTLE PROCEDURE (BP)

• To conduct a successful KLE, Battle Procedure is
  essential.
• Some of the information/Intelligence will be
  provided through the staff at the BG or TF level.
  
• Battle procedure is divided in four steps
• 1 Preparation
• 2 Conduct
• 3 Reporting
• 4 Assessment (MoE)

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STEP 1 - ORIENTATION

• Purpose of the KLE
• Who will initiate the meeting
• Date and location
• Person leading the meeting
• Desired outcomes from the meeting (Will and
  Understanding)
• Understanding
• Confidence Building
• Information Gathering/Sharing
• Perception Management
• Other influence activities decision, policy,
  action, behaviour

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STEP 1 STAFF PLANNING

• As stated, the staff can help you to determine
  the following
• Threat assessment
• Target Audience (TA) Profile
• Social link and interaction with other key
  leaders
• Cultural considerations
• Location of the meeting
• Best Alternate to a Negotiated Agreement
  (BATNA)
• Subjects/Themes to be raised to the TA and
  those to be avoided

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STEP 1 WAR GAMING

• Information, for example if this Key Leader has
  been met before and all pertinent info is
  gathered
• Courses of Action (COAs) are developed based on
  their estimate
• Security requirements are assessed
• If Force Protection (FP) is necessary the detail
  commander should be present

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STEP 1 - REHEARSAL

• Rehearsal will enhance successful outcome of the
  KLE
• It will serve to fine tune security matters
• When time is not available, greater time should
  be allocated for a pre-brief to all participant

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STEP 1 - MISCELLANEOUS

• Security and FP issues have to be considered and
  planned (Size and composition)
• Consideration of the location and security of the
  participants (LN or friendly force)
• If available, use of a silent translator
• Remember, your language assistants are under
  considerable pressure in a COIN environment

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STEP 2 - CONDUCT

• Points that should be covered
• Security
• Cultural considerations
• Method of delivery
• Record of discussion (ROD)

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STEP 3 - REPORTING

• Reporting enables the distribution of the wealth
  of info following a KLE
• Analysed report is circulated through the
  stakeholders such as POLAD, Intelligence, Info
  Ops cells and Effects
• A Generic format is to be used but it will vary
  from theatre to theatre

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STEP 4 - ASSESSMENT

• Following the KLE, successful or not, we measure
  the effectiveness of the engagement
• From the analysis, we determine if a follow up
  KLE is needed or a new (Target) KLE is necessary
  to achieve the sought after effect

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KLE DEBRIEF FORMAT

• KEY LEADER ENGAGEMENT REPORT
• Date Time
• Location
• REPORTING UNIT
• Who
• PERSON LEADING THE MEETING
• (Name of the person)
• ATTENDEES
• BG Rep, Maj XXX
• Interpreter if one was present
• PURPOSE (What is the objective of this meeting
  and what is the effect to be achieved.)
• The aim of the meeting was to .
• ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
• The following key concerns/comments were
  discussed.
• Importance of good information
• OVERALL MEETING ASSESSMENT (Assessment set
  against the purpose of meeting.)
• It is assessed that
• RECOMMENDATIONS
• I recommend there be another meeting in
  days/weeks to confirm.

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CONCLUSION

• Remember
• KLEs are a strategy of communications
• KLEs are synchronized and coordinated to maximize
  effects
• KLE preparation is essential

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QUESTIONS?