In this episode of ClearedCast: The Security Clearance Careers Podcast, Rupal Patel returns to continue the conversation about resilience, leadership, and life after the CIA. Now the CEO of the Global Leadership Lab and author of From CIA to CEO, Patel brought a candid perspective on the progress and ongoing challenges for women in intelligence and national security careers.
She reflected on the “visibility gap” women have faced historically, noting how contributions were often overlooked or credited to men. While Patel herself worked under strong female leaders at the Agency, she acknowledged that not everyone shared that experience, and cultural biases often persisted in the field. Change, she stressed, requires honest dialogue and recognition of nuance rather than the oversimplified “boys will be boys” mentality that too often allowed unprofessional behavior to go unchecked.
Patel also offered advice for the next generation of cleared women: embrace the unique opportunities of national security careers, but don’t underestimate the importance of building community. She highlighted how today’s cleared professionals have access to associations, meetups, and networks that simply didn’t exist when she was starting out—resources that can provide both personal support and professional growth.
As a self-described global citizen, Patel credits her background as the daughter of Indian immigrants in New York and her life now in London for shaping her curiosity, adaptability, and openness. These qualities, she explained, not only made her effective in the intelligence world but also guide her work with leadership teams today. She closed with a reminder that success is never a solo journey: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” she noted, urging professionals to be intentional about who they allow to influence their ambitions and goals.
Patel’s story underscores the importance of visibility, community, and curiosity in building strong, authentic leadership—lessons that resonate far beyond the walls of the intelligence community.
