I would think that telling a flag officer what he wants to hear instead of a proper briefing would be bad because our people could get killed if the flag officer is getting his 4 star ego massaged.
My own experience in building stuff that lots of guys were going to bet their skins on put me in a slightly different position with both Mil and Civ big wigs. They had to listen to me about details of new jobs, repairs, problems, etc. whether they wanted to or not. My own work history pretty much set that process in place firmly and I was always the one who decided when they had heard everything they needed to know. While I knew no one wants to be bored stiff they always stayed awake in my “classes.” I always found that very few things go wrong when everybody is up to speed. And some of them still owe me for saving their axxes.
It is also a huge career ender. Anyone who is so cavalier as to bodge up a briefing to make themselves look good when lives are on the line is a danger to the country and the command. That is lying by omission. Contrary to popular belief, the Intelligence business is all about truth telling. Lying is for politicians and used car salesmen. We can and will forgive mistakes, professional and personal. We will NEVER forgive lying for personal benefit.
In 2005, a series of issues, mostly personal, led me to drinking far more than I should have. I was working for a 3-letter agency that does NOT begin with 'C'. I reported adverse information on myself and got help. I temporarily lost my access but I kept my clearances. After an investigation I was read back into all my compartments. If I had lied about any part of the situation I would have been out on my ear with no hope of return. And rightfully so.
SpyNavy
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)