Episode 42 - LTG Ed Cardon, USA (Ret): Leading Transformation in a Complex World
LTG Ed Cardon, USA (Ret): Leading Transformation in a Complex World
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with LTG Ed Cardon, a distinguished cyber and defense leader whose 36-year career placed him at the center of some of the U.S. military’s most consequential transformations in cyber, innovation, and modern warfare.
LTG Cardon’s service spans Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and the Republic of Korea, where he commanded the 2d Infantry Division. He is perhaps best known for leading and scaling Army Cyber Command during a pivotal period when cyber evolved from a niche capability into a contested strategic domain. Under his command, Army Cyber grew from just two to 41 cyberspace teams, while simultaneously standing up new organizations such as USCYBERCOM’s Task Force ARES—the offensive cyber task force against ISIS.
During this episode, we discuss what it takes to build and lead entirely new organizations under pressure, how to drive rapid growth without sacrificing effectiveness, and the leadership lessons LTG Cardon learned while operating in ambiguity. He reflects on his role as Director of the Army’s Office of Business Transformation, where he helped lay the groundwork for Army Futures Command, offers guidance on leading effective innovation inside large organizations, and shares his transition to entrepreneurship as the founder of Touchstone Futures. The conversation concludes with actionable insights on artificial intelligence, emerging cyber threats, and the national security challenges shaping today’s complex operating environment.
Whether you’re a military leader, policymaker, or industry partner, this episode offers practical insights on leading through complexity, building new capabilities, and navigating uncertainty in the cyber domain!
Guest Bio
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ed Cardon’s service to our Nation spans over 36 years including work in Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and the Republic of Korea. General Cardon has extensive experience establishing, leading, and transforming 14 very different organizations with diverse mission sets such as operations, education, cyber, and innovation. He commanded 2d Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea. He both transformed and scaled Army Cyber Command into a world-class cyber force, while simultaneously standing up new cyber organizations to meet the demands of this contested domain including US CYBERCOM’s Task Force ARES, the offensive cyber task force against ISIS. His last assignment was as the Director of Business Transformation for the Army, and he led the task force that helped create Army Futures Command responsible for modernizing the Army. In 2021, he and his partners established Touchstone Futures to help companies grow especially in the national security sector. General Cardon continues to focus on helping individuals and teams prioritize tackle challenging issues, drawing upon extensive expertise spanning operations, modernization, academia, cybersecurity, and national security domains.
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