Kerr considered an Admiralty staff partly as a way to limit Fisher's influence, despite his own reservations about staff organization. In this scenario, a staff created in 1900 would have four years to become established before Fisher became First Sea Lord in 1904. He would then have to work with an existing organization that could restrain some of his excesses and support his decisions. That restraint would change over time, because six years in office would give Fisher opportunities to shape the staff around his own priorities. Creating the staff before his appointment would make it harder for him to sweep it aside on arrival.
Notable Point · 56:15-59:44
Could an Admiralty staff constrain Fisher?
Creating a staff before Fisher took office could restrain his decisions, although his long tenure would gradually let him reshape the organization.