Leading in Government

Practical advice to leadership questions from the front lines. All organizations exist to serve one common purpose-creating value for their actual or target constituencies. The federal government is no exception. Bills passed by Congress, signed into law by the President, and not overturned by the Supreme Court (if litigated) provide direction and resources for government agencies, which are charged with delivering the desired value to the American public. While much debate in a democratic nation can swirl around what and how value is being created and for whom, the democratic process ultimately yields directives, authorities, and budgets for creating value for the American public. The actual creation and delivery of value falls upon public leaders. These leaders have to bring together people and resources and build the government's capabilities for delivering value. The job is not easy. In fact, in many ways, leadership in the federal government is more challenging than in any other sector.