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Michael J Keegan

Leadership Fellow and Host, The Business of Government Hour at IBM Center for The Business of Government

Washington D.C. Metro Area, United States

Leadership Fellow at The IBM Center for The Business of Government & Host, Business of Government Hour

Available For: Speaking
Travels From: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Michael J Keegan Points
Academic 0
Author 964
Influencer 12
Speaker 0
Entrepreneur 0
Total 976

Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.

Thought Leader Profile

Portfolio Mix

Company Information

Company Type: Company
Minimum Project Size: N/A
Average Hourly Rate: N/A
Number of Employees: 1-10
Company Founded Date: 1998
Media Experience: 15 years

Areas of Expertise

Agile 30.03
AI 30.06
Analytics 30.22
Big Data 30.12
Blockchain 30.06
Change Management
Coaching 30.24
COVID19 30.27
Creativity 30.95
Cryptocurrency 30.13
Culture
Cybersecurity
Design Thinking 30.37
Digital Transformation 30.05
Digital Twins 32.72
Emerging Technology 30.05
FinTech 30.05
Future of Work 30.02
GovTech 100
Health and Safety 30.79
Healthcare 32.43
HealthTech 30.03
Innovation 35.29
International Relations 30.39
IT Leadership 31.81
IT Operations 32.10
IT Strategy 33.51
Leadership 32.11
Management 30.62
National Security 33.83
Procurement 30.14
Risk Management 30.21
Security 30.87
Supply Chain 30.03

Industry Experience

Federal & Public Sector
Healthcare
Insurance
Media

Publications

177 Article/Blogs
Fostering Innovation in Government: Leveraging Serendipity and Design Thinking
Business of Government
May 14, 2025
Innovation in government is often perceived as a daunting challenge, constrained by bureaucratic structures, risk-averse cultures, and siloed operations. Yet, the need for innovative solutions to complex public sector problems—ranging from healthcare delivery to transportation security—has never been more pressing. As I delved into a recent Harvard Business Review article, To Drive Innovation, Create the Conditions for Serendipity by Jerome Barthelemy and Nicolas Mottis, I found myself reflecting on the IBM Center report Applying Design Thinking to Public Service Delivery by Jeanne Liedtka and Randy Salzman, recognizing how their insights on fostering innovation complement each other and revealing how design thinking can amplify the serendipitous innovation they advocate.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Weekly Roundup: May 5-9, 2025
Business Of Government
May 09, 2025
The Small Actions That Become Your Legacy. How do you want to be remembered? Self-reflection goes a long way in bringing clarity, self-awareness, and intention to the everyday choices that help shape legacy. Next, ask yourself: How do others see me? Invite feedback from a few trusted colleagues who see you in different contexts and keep an open mind when you receive feedback. Finally, begin translating insight into intentional action. It’s about bridging any gaps between the leader you want to be known as and how others experience you now.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Mastering the Art of Leadership: Four Types of Thinking Government Executives Must Embrace
linkedin
May 08, 2025
In an era defined by rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and heightened public expectations, government executives face a daunting mandate: to lead with clarity and ingenuity amid complexity. The recent Harvard Business Review article The 4 Types of Thinking Leaders Need to Practice—and Teach offers a compelling approach for leadership success, identifying four critical thinking skills—expert, critical, strategic, and systems thinking—as indispensable tools for adding value and essential for leaders to navigate complexity and deliver impact.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Resilient Leadership: Strategic Questions to Lead Through Uncertainty
linkedin
May 06, 2025
In today’s world, uncertainty is not an occasional storm but a persistent climate. Leaders across sectors face a barrage of disruption, pandemics, cyberattacks, and supply chain breakdowns—that demand swift, resilient decision-making. The IBM Center for The Business of Government report, Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience, illustrates the realities of leading through such volatility, highlighting the need for networked, agile, and innovative responses to complex challenges.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Resilient Leadership: Strategic Questions to Lead Through Uncertainty
Business of Government
May 06, 2025
In today’s world, uncertainty is not an occasional storm but a persistent climate. Leaders across sectors face a barrage of disruption, pandemics, cyberattacks, and supply chain breakdowns—that demand swift, resilient decision-making. The IBM Center for The Business of Government report, Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience, illustrates the realities of leading through such volatility, highlighting the need for networked, agile, and innovative responses to complex challenges.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Weekly Roundup: April 28-May 2, 2025
IBM Center for the Business of Government
May 02, 2025
Articles & insights of interest in public management & leadership for the week ending May 2, 2025

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Tags: AI, GovTech, Leadership

Balancing Trust and Innovation: Insights on AI and Governance
Business of Government
April 24, 2025
Their perspectives, while distinct, intertwined in meaningful ways, offering complementary visions for how public administration can navigate technological transformation while fostering trust and accountability. I reflect on the key themes and insights from each conversation and explore how they connect to shape a forward-looking agenda for public service.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Augmenting the Future: Navigating AI in Public Administration
linkedin
April 17, 2025
As the host of The Business of Government Hour, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with some of the sharpest minds in public administration, delving into the challenges and opportunities shaping government today. Recently, I attended the annual conference of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) in Washington DC. ASPA is the leading interdisciplinary public service organization that advances the art, science, teaching and practice of public and nonprofit administration. This year’s conference themed “Not Robots Yet: Keeping Public Servants in Public Service,” offered a worthwhile opportunity to explore how artificial intellige

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Articles & insights of interest in public management & leadership for the week ending April 11, 2025
Business Of Government
April 11, 2025
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said in a memo published that beginning this year, it will use AI to analyze and verify the accuracy of data on Federal workers contained within the electronic Official Personnel Folder system (eOPF). The electronic system also maintains records for non-Federal employees managed by Federal agencies.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Mastering the Art of Leadership: Four Types of Thinking Government Executives Should Embrace
Business Of Government
April 07, 2025
In an era defined by rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and heightened public expectations, government executives face a daunting mandate: to lead with clarity and ingenuity amid complexity. The recent Harvard Business Review article The 4 Types of Thinking Leaders Need to Practice—and Teach offers a compelling approach for leadership success, identifying four critical thinking skills—expert, critical, strategic, and systems thinking—as indispensable tools for adding value and essential for leaders to navigate complexity and deliver impact.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Artificial Intelligence
Business Of Government
April 04, 2025
The Trump administration has identified 16 sites on land owned by the Department of Energy (DoE) that would be suitable to build artificial intelligence data centers and is calling for input about industry’s interest in operating on those sites.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Articles & insights of interest in public management & leadership for the week ending March 28, 2025
business of government
March 28, 2025
How can the Department of Defense (DoD) ensure its dominance against adversaries around the globe in the new space race? That’s the question a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) blog tackled, as the watchdog agency examines DoD’s efforts to strengthen satellite communications and build a more resilient, interconnected space infrastructure to maintain U.S. dominance in the face of growing competition from China, Russia, and other global players.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Shaping Tomorrow: Strategic Thinking for Government Leaders - A Conversation with John Hillen
linkedin
March 27, 2025
In a rapidly changing world, leadership must evolve to meet new demands, challenges, and opportunities. As the host of The Business of Government Hour, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with visionary leaders who are redefining public service and government. Recently, I spoke with Dr. John Hillen, former Assistant Secretary of State and author of two compelling books: What Happens Next? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You and The Strategy Dialogue: Mastering the Art of Business Strategy.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Articles & insights of interest in public management & leadership for the week ending March 21, 2025.
Business Of Government
March 21, 2025
In an era where the human elements of leadership matter more than ever, mastering your “vocal presence” isn’t just an enhancement to executive capability—it’s an essential dimension of how you inspire, connect with, and mobilize others toward shared goals. Through conscious practice of breath coordination and vocal techniques, you can develop a more commanding, authentic, and engaging presence that will resonate deeply with your audience. The article outlines five simple, functional exercises to improve vocal presence.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Building Bridges Through Disagreement: Leadership Lessons from Conflict Resilience
Business Of Government
March 19, 2025
Conflict is a constant in government leadership. Whether it’s navigating interagency disputes, negotiating with stakeholders, or managing polarized teams, public sector executives face disagreements that test their resolve and influence. Too often, these conflicts escalate into standoffs or are avoided altogether, leaving underlying issues unresolved and relationships strained.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Articles & insights of interest in public management & leadership for the week ending March 14,, 2025
Business of Government
March 14, 2025
Former Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Suzette Kent issued a call today for the federal government to focus on enterprise-wide systems as the “North Star” for guiding future improvements to government workforce management technologies and service improvements. “Here’s the question,” she said during a panel moderated, “When we have … the same requirements, and we have an employee workforce that needs to think as an enterprise, why do we keep doing everything individually and in silos?...The North Star is the enterprise,” Kent declared. “Thinking about it, how do we do it holistically,” she asked. “That’s how we bring efficiency,” she said

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Articles & insights of interest in public management & leadership for the week ending March 7, 2025.
Business Of Government
March 07, 2025
The assumption embedded in Silicon Valley’s famous “move fast and break things” ethos is that we can either make progress or take care of people, one or the other. A certain amount of wreckage is the price we must pay for creating the future.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Dr. Francis Collins: A Legacy of Leadership in Public Service and Medical Research
IBM Center for the Business of Government
March 06, 2025
Dr. Francis Collins has retired from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). At the IBM Center for The Business of Government, we have had the privilege of chronicling his journey through interviews, profiles, and in-depth reports.

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Tags: GovTech, Healthcare, HealthTech

Strategic Fit in Government: Leveraging Private Sector Leadership Insights
Business Of Government
February 25, 2025
The concept of "strategic fit," as explored by Darrell Rigby and Zach First in the March-April 2025 issue of the Harvard Business Review, underscores the importance of aligning an organization’s strategy, structure, and execution for optimal performance. While this principle is often discussed in the context of private sector organizations, its application to U.S. federal government agencies is both necessary and timely. By applying the core leadership insights from “The Power of Strategic Fit” to government, public sector leaders can enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and deliver better services to citizens.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Weekly Roundup: February 17-21, 2025
Business Of Government
February 21, 2025
AI Ops Is Helping Agencies Stop IT Failures Before They Start. As federal agencies grapple with increasingly complex IT environments, AI Ops – which applies AI to automate IT operations – is a growing approach for organizations to identify and resolve system problems faster.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Weekly Roundup: February 10-14, 2025
Business Of Government
February 14, 2025
White House Seeks AI Input as Congress Eyes New AI Task Force. The Trump administration is seeking feedback on its artificial intelligence action plan while Congress plans its next move in AI regulation – which may include propping up a new AI task force and codifying the AI Safety Institute.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Weekly Roundup: February 3-7, 2025
Business Of Government
February 07, 2025
5 Questions to Help Your Team Make Better Decisions. In fast-paced, complex business environments, it’s often hard to carve out the time for thoughtful, thorough analysis. Leaders might recognize that better questions lead to better decisions, but they aren’t sure exactly what to ask.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Leadership Fellow & Host, The Business of Government Hour
Business of Government
January 31, 2025
Michael has two decades of experience with both the private and public sectors encompassing strategic planning, business process redesign, strategic communications and marketing, performance management, change management, executive and team coaching, and risk-financing.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Driving Digital Transformation
Business Of Government
December 19, 2024
I had the pleasure of hosting Alexis Bonnell, chief information officer (CIO) and director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on The Business of Government Hour. She develops and executes the AFRL information technology strategy, leading the strategic development of highly advanced next generation technologies and platforms for AFRL.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Developing an AI Strategy within a Defense Intelligence Context
Business of Government
December 13, 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a critical and strategic capability for defense organizations around the world, offering immense benefits such as improved efficiency, accuracy, and decision making. It has the potential to revolutionize military operations to improve mission outcomes and gain decision advantage.

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

1 Book
Transforming the Business of Government: Insights on Resiliency, Innovation, and Performance
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
December 08, 2023
Governments face increasingly serious, seemingly intractable management challenges. This book brings together scholars, thought leaders, and government executives to address the future of government operations, and provide government leaders with practical, actionable insights on how best to manage and lead through uncertain and disruptive times

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

240 Podcasts
Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI - A Conversation with Faisal Hoque
Business of Government
March 14, 2025
“…Aristotle was on to something when he taught that wisdom lies in moderation. We will argue in this book that the best path to tread when it comes to AI is one that takes us through the middle ground between extreme visions of the future… The question is no longer whether we should use AI, but how we can use it responsibly and well.”

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

Exploring the Application and Use of Extended Reality: A Conversation with Annie Eaton author of THE EXTENDED REALITY BLUEPRINT
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June 17, 2024
What is Extended Reality? How does it encompass Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality? How is the public sector and government services leveraging AR/VR technology? What does the future hold for Extended Reality? Join host Michael Keegan on a Special Conversation with Authors Edition as he explores

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Tags: GovTech

Harnessing Technology & Charting the Future of Weapons, Systems, and Platforms: A Conversation with VADM Frank Morley, Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy
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June 10, 2024
What is the U.S. Department of the Navy doing to field weapons, systems, and platforms that give it a technological edge over adversaries? How has the Navy’s acquisition strategy evolved in recent years to better meet the needs of modern warfare and technological advancements? What is the U.S.

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Tags: GovTech

Exploring Artificial Intelligence within the Military and Defense Context: Reflections on SPADE 2024
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June 03, 2024
What is the current state of AI in Defense. What role does industry play in maturing its application and deployment? How can AI power Decision Advantage for the U.S. and its Allies? What can we learn from the SPADE Defense Conference 2024? Join host Michael J Keegan for a Special Edition of The Busi

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Tags: GovTech

EXPERTS IN GOVERNMENT: A Conversation with Prof. Don Kettl.
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May 27, 2024
How do we balance the age-old battles between expertise and accountability in government? What is the role of experts in governance? Why have the challenges of bureaucratic capacity and control become far greater in the twenty-first century? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions an

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Tags: GovTech

Powering Decision Advantage: A Conversation with Ramesh Menon, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
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May 20, 2024
What is the technology strategy for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency? How is it leveraging emerging technologies like AI and GenAI to meet its mission? What technology advances DIA’s decision advantage? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Ramesh Menon, chie

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Tags: GovTech

Executing the Digital Strategy for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): A Conversation with Andrea Fletcher, Chief Digital Strategy Officer at CMS
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May 13, 2024
What is the digital strategy for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services? How does CMS use of Open Source software across the its enterprise? What does the future hold digital transformation at CMS? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Andrea Fletcher, Ch

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Tags: GovTech

Enhancing Information Technology at the International Trade Administration (ITA): A Conversation with Gerald Caron, CIO at ITA
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May 06, 2024
What is the IT strategy for the International Trade Administration (ITA)? How is ITA modernizing and securing its technology infrastructure? What does the future hold for IT at the International Trade Administration? Join host Michael J Keegan as he explores these questions and more with guest Geral

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Tags: GovTech

Accelerating Tech Procurement in DOD: A Conversation with Bonnie Evangelista, Acting Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer for Acquisition
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April 29, 2024
What is the mission of the DoD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office? What is the Tradewinds Marketplace? How do Tradewinds acquisitions differ from traditional acquisitions? What does the future for the Tradewinds Marketplace at DOD? Join host Michael J Keegan as he explores these qu

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Tags: GovTech

Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour – Insights on Leadership, Mindset, and Thriving on Disruption
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April 22, 2024
How can the U.S. federal government rebuild its digital capabilities and truly transform how government does business? What is the difference between learning while doing and learning by doing? How can government agencies become more adaptive and thrive on disruption. Join host Michael Keegan as he

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Tags: GovTech

Putting Veterans First: Exploring the VA’s Customer Experience Strategy with John Boerstler, Chief Veterans Experience Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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April 15, 2024
What is the customer experience (CX) strategy for the US Department of Veterans Affairs? How has VA increased its Trust Index? What is the VA doing to enhance its employee experience? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with John Boerstler Chief Veterans Experience Of

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Tags: GovTech, Customer Experience

Leading through Uncertain Times with Dr. Jeff Karp, author of LIT – Life Ignition Tools: Use Nature’s Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas, and Ignite Action
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April 08, 2024
How can government leaders learn, connect, adapt, and draw energy from their experiences? What role does intention play in being a successful leader? How can Life Ignition Tools help leaders be more effective? Join host Michael Keegan on This Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour –

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Tags: GovTech

Driving Digital Transformation: A Conversation with Jason Bonci, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Department of the Air Force
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April 01, 2024
What is the technology strategy for the U.S. Department of the Air Force? How is the U.S. Air Force leveraging emerging technology to transform how it does IT? What are the U.S. Department of the Air Force’s Zero Trust and ICAM Strategies? Michael J. Keegan explores these questions and more with J

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Tags: GovTech

Becoming a Growth Leader: A Conversation with Scott Edinger, author, The Growth Leader
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March 25, 2024
How can government leaders enhance the customer experience in the agencies they lead? What insights can government leaders learn from the private sector on how to improve CX (customer experience)? What is the difference between managing tasks versus leading for results? Join host Michael Keegan as h

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Tags: GovTech, Customer Experience

Exploring Homeland Security’s Procurement Strategy: A Conversation with Paul Courtney, Chief Procurement Officer, DHS
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March 18, 2024
Paul Courtney is the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He is equipped with a deeply rooted experience in contracting, giving him unique perspectives on the policies, regulations, and standards in procurement and contracting.  Along with his accelerati

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Tags: GovTech

Ensuring a World-Class IT Experience for DoD Leadership: A Conversation with Danielle Metz, Director, Information Management & Technology Director and CIO, Office of the Secretary of Defense
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March 11, 2024
How does technology form the connective tissue that ties the missions of the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) together? How is the IM&T directorate maximizing the use of technology to support OSD? What does the future hold for OSD’s IT Enterprise? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores th

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Tags: GovTech

Exploring Government-Venture Arrangements: A Conversation with Arun Gupta, co-author, VENTURE MEETS MISSION: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society
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March 04, 2024
What are the characteristics of an entrepreneurial mindset? How can government and entrepreneurial ventures work together to address significant challenges facing us today? What does a thriving “venture meets mission” ecosystem look like and what is the future of government-venture arrangements?

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Tags: GovTech, Venture Capital

Defining a New Reality in Healthcare: A Conversation with Dr. Anne Bailey, Executive Director, VHA Strategic Initiatives Lab
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February 26, 2024
What is the mission of the Strategic Initiatives Lab (Strat Lab) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)? How is it using virtual reality and other immersive technologies to change how the department serves veterans? What does the future hold for the VHA’s Strat Lab? Join host Michael Keegan a

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Tags: GovTech

Transforming the Business of Government: Insights on Resiliency, Innovation, and Performance
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February 19, 2024
How can we find value in the unexpected? What can we do to be more resilient? How can we leverage innovation to improve government performance? Join Michael Keegan on a Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour as he explores these questions and more celebrating the 25th anniversary of the

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Tags: GovTech

Turning the Power of Mindset into Action: Drive Learning & High Performance With a Growth Mindset Culture
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February 12, 2024
What is the performance paradox? What is the difference between learning while doing and learning by doing? How can overcoming the performance paradox make government executives more effective? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Eduardo Briceno, author of the new b

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Tags: GovTech

Reforming the National Flood Insurance Program: A Conversation with Jeff Jackson, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Federal Insurance — FEMA
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February 05, 2024
Jeff Jackson has served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Federal Insurance Directorate within Resilience since 2020. In this role, Jeff leads flood insurance operations for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at FEMA. The NFIP currently has approximately 4.7 million policyh

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Tags: GovTech

EXPERTS IN GOVERNMENT: A Conversation with Prof. Don Kettl.
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January 29, 2024
How do we balance the age-old battles between expertise and accountability in government? What is the role of experts in governance? Why have the challenges of bureaucratic capacity and control become far greater in the twenty-first century? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions an

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Tags: GovTech

Transforming the Taxpayer Experience: A Conversation with Karen Howard, Executive Director, Office of Online Services, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
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January 22, 2024
What is the mission of the Office of Online Services at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? What is the IRS doing to advance its digital services and enhance customer experience? How is the IRS leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to meet mission? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores the

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Tags: GovTech, Customer Experience

Finding Value in the Unexpected: A Conversation with Margaret Heffernan
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January 15, 2024
Why are most humans uncomfortable with uncertainty and prediction addition? Does technological progress make predicting the future easier? If we can’t predict the future, how can we prepare for it? Why are the human gifts of curiosity and creativity more powerful tools to preparing for the future

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Tags: GovTech

Leveraging Technology to Transform GEOINT: A Conversation with Chris Johnson, Acting Chief Technology Officer, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA)
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January 08, 2024
What is the mission of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s CIO-T directorate? How is NGA maximizing the use of technology to meet its mission? What are the technology priorities for NGA? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Chris Johnson, Acting Chief Tec

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Tags: GovTech

1 Video
Transforming the Business of Government: Insights on Resiliency, Innovation, & Performance NEW BOOK
IBM Center for the Business of Government
December 07, 2023
"If the 21st century has provided any lessons so far, it is the power of the unexpected. What has been starkly revealed is how systems in place to meet anticipated problems failed when the unanticipated happened. Given this new reality, now more than ever government leaders need practical, actionable insights on how best to manage and lead through uncertain and disruptive periods.That’s why the IBM Center has published, Transforming the Business of Government: Insights on Resiliency, Innovation, and Performance."

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Tags: GovTech, Innovation, Leadership

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3 Article/Blogs
Resilient Leadership: Strategic Questions to Lead Through Uncertainty
Thinkers360
May 06, 2025

In today’s world, uncertainty is not an occasional storm but a persistent climate. Leaders across sectors face a barrage of disruption, pandemics, cyberattacks, and supply chain breakdowns—that demand swift, resilient decision-making. The IBM Center for The Business of Government report, Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience, illustrates the realities of leading through such volatility, highlighting the need for networked, agile, and innovative responses to complex challenges.

Recently, I read Cheryl Strauss Einhorn’s Harvard Business Review article, In Uncertain Times, Ask These Questions Before You Make a Decision, which offers a powerful framework of four strategic questions to navigate this “perma-crisis” landscape. These questions help leaders cut through noise, avoid reactive traps, and make choices that endure. By integrating Einhorn’s questions with the IBM report’s imperatives, government executives can enhance their ability to lead effectively through uncertainty, fostering resilient outcomes.

This essay explores how Einhorn’s questions can be used to navigate uncertainty, offering actionable insights for government leaders striving to thrive in uncertain times.

The Perma-Crisis Reality

The IBM Center report paints a vivid picture of today’s volatile environment, where “shocks”—disruptive regional or global events like wildfires, cyberattacks, or pandemics—transcend boundaries and stress governments, businesses, and communities. A 2023 IBM survey of 635 government executives found that 60% expect these shocks to grow more frequent, and 70% anticipate greater intensity. The report’s eight imperatives, from building governance networks to investing in agile innovation, underscore that siloed, reactive approaches are inadequate. Instead, leaders must foster collaboration across sectors, leverage data and AI, and prioritize public trust to build resilience.

Einhorn’s article complements this by addressing the decision-making paralysis that volatility can induce. Traditional questions—What’s the ROI? What’s the timeline?—often narrow focus too soon, locking leaders into outdated assumptions. Her four questions, designed to expand perspective and spark creativity, are particularly relevant for navigating the systemic disruptions the IBM Center report describes.

Below, each question is explored as a tool for leaders, with examples drawn from the report to illustrate their practical impact in a crisis-prone world.

Question 1: What Decision Today Will Still Make Sense a Year from Now?

Einhorn’s first question urges leaders to prioritize decisions with lasting value, resisting the pull of short-term fixes. In a crisis, the pressure to act quickly can lead to choices that solve immediate problems but create future vulnerabilities. This question injects long-term thinking into chaotic moments, ensuring alignment with core values and strategic goals. The IBM Center report illustrates this challenge in its discussion of supply chain disruptions, a common shock that tests resilience. For instance, a government agency facing delayed medical supply deliveries might be tempted to double down on a struggling vendor for quick relief.

Einhorn’s question prompts a broader view: Will this decision hold up in a year? Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience emphasis on building a Center of Excellence (CoE) for supply chain resilience offers a solution. By creating a multi-agency hub with private sector and academic partners, leaders can map supply chains using AI-driven analytics, ensuring robust sourcing strategies that withstand future disruptions. This mirrors Einhorn’s example of Alana, a consumer brand leader who preserved sustainability initiatives despite cost-cutting pressures, balancing immediate needs with long-term brand identity.

Practical Takeaway: Leaders should use scenario planning to test decisions against potential future shocks, such as disasters or cyberattacks. By asking, “What values do we want this decision to reflect?” they can align choices with resilience goals, as the Center report advocates through its call for proactive risk management.

Question 2: If a Year from Now This Decision Was Used as an Example of Our Leadership, What Would It Teach?

This question shifts focus to the narrative a decision creates, asking leaders to consider the legacy their choices leave. It’s not just about outcomes but about what decisions say about character, priorities, and culture.

In a world where trust in institutions is eroding, as the Center report notes via the Edelman Trust Barometer’s findings, this question is a strategic tool for building credibility.

Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience highlights the importance of public participation and communication to counter distrust, especially during climate disasters. Consider a city official deciding whether to enforce a mandatory evacuation in a flood-prone, low-income area. The legal case is clear, but community fears of displacement loom large. Einhorn’s question—What would this decision teach about our leadership?—prompts a human-centered approach. The Center report suggests engaging trusted community voices to communicate risks, avoiding “maladaptation” where poorly planned responses increase vulnerabilities. By involving local leaders to co-design an evacuation plan that addresses financial and medical barriers, the official not only mitigates the crisis but also models inclusive leadership, much like Einhorn’s example of Raj, who delayed a product launch to prioritize ethical data practices, earning trust and respect.

Practical Takeaway: Leaders should integrate stakeholder input into decisions, using town halls or digital platforms to ensure diverse voices shape outcomes. This builds trust and reinforces a leadership legacy of integrity, aligning with the Center’s report call for inclusive planning.

Question 3: What If This Isn’t the Storm—What If It’s the Climate?

Einhorn’s third question challenges the instinct to treat disruptions as temporary, urging leaders to prepare for persistent volatility. This reframing is critical in a world where shocks are not anomalies but part of the systemic “climate,” as the Center’s report survey data confirms with expectations of escalating crises.

The IBM Center report, Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience, focuses on crosscutting shocks, like recurring cyberattacks, illustrates this reality. A government IT department facing repeated data breaches might initially patch systems reactively, hoping for a return to stability. Einhorn’s question—What if this is the new normal?—prompts a strategic shift. Our report advocates for a whole-of-government approach, including cross-agency collaboration and AI-enhanced cybersecurity frameworks. By investing in a CoE that coordinates federal, state, and private sector efforts, leaders can build systems that flex under pressure, not snap. This echoes Einhorn’s example of Darryl, who recognized a vendor’s persistent failures as a structural issue, launching a dual-track plan to onboard a new supplier while giving the existing one a final chance to improve.

Practical Takeaway: Leaders should conduct regular wargaming exercises to anticipate ongoing shocks, as the Center report suggests. By mapping interdependencies across sectors, they can design enduring systems, ensuring resilience against chronic uncertainty.

Question 4: What’s the Cost of Waiting?

Einhorn’s final question confronts the hidden risks of inaction, challenging leaders to act despite incomplete data. In volatile environments, waiting for certainty can forfeit momentum, market position, or public confidence.

Consider a public health agency debating whether to adopt AI for predicting disease outbreaks. Budget constraints and ethical concerns might encourage delays. Einhorn’s question—What’s the cost of waiting?—highlights the risks: slower responses, strained resources, and eroded trust. The Center report cites generative AI’s potential to optimize emergency responses by analyzing vast datasets, enabling faster resource allocation. By piloting an AI system with built-in safeguards, the agency could act decisively, mirroring Einhorn’s example of Monica, who hired a marketing officer during economic uncertainty, reimagining compensation to align with strategic goals.

Practical Takeaway: Leaders should launch agile pilot programs to test innovations. Pre-crisis data strategies, like those recommended for data-driven decision-making, ensure informed action, minimizing the costs of hesitation.

A Unified Approach to Resilient Leadership.

Einhorn’s four questions form a cohesive framework for leading through uncertainty, each addressing a critical dimension of decision-making:

 

  • Durability ensures decisions withstand future shocks, aligning with the IBM Center report’s call for proactive risk management.
  • Legacy builds trust through inclusive choices, supporting the Center report’s emphasis on public engagement.
  • Systemic Thinkingprepares for persistent volatility, echoing the report’s call for crosscutting strategies.
  • Urgency drives timely action, complementing the report’s push for agile innovation.

 

The Center's report focus on workforce development further ties these questions together, as a skilled, adaptable workforce is essential for executing resilient decisions. With government leaders planning to shift investments toward AI in five years, upskilling employees to leverage technology is critical, ensuring the human capital to act on Einhorn’s insights.

Implementing Einhorn’s Framework

To apply Einhorn’s questions in practice, leaders can take these steps:

 

  • Embed Questions in Planning: Train teams to use Einhorn’s questions during strategic discussions, ensuring decisions balance short- and long-term goals.
  • Leverage Technology: Use AI and data analytics to model decision outcomes, as the IBM report suggests, supporting Questions 1 and 3.
  • Engage Communities: Host inclusive forums to gather input, aligning with Question 2’s focus on leadership legacy.
  • Pilot Innovations: Test solutions rapidly to address Question 4, minimizing inaction costs.
  • Upskill Teams: Invest in training to ensure employees can implement data-driven, resilient decisions.

 

Conclusion: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity

Government executives navigating future shocks cannot rely on outdated assumptions or siloed responses. The IBM Center report, Preparing Governments for Future Shocks: A Roadmap to Resilience depicts escalating shocks that underscore the need for adaptive, collaborative leadership. The report’s eight imperatives provide a roadmap for resilience, emphasizing networked governance, agile innovation, and inclusive communication. Einhorn’s four questions, outlined in her HBR article, complement this by offering a decision-making lens that balances urgency with foresight, reactivity with strategy, and isolation with collaboration.

By asking what decisions will endure, what legacy they create, whether disruptions are systemic, and what inaction costs, leaders can transform uncertainty into opportunity.

As Einhorn reminds us, strategic decision-making isn’t about having all the answers: it’s about asking the right questions to forge a resilient future.  In a perma-crisis world, strategic questioning is not just a tool—it’s a leadership imperative.

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Tags: Emerging Technology, GovTech, Leadership

Leadership Lessons from David Mamet's "True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor"
Thinkers360
May 16, 2024

True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor by David Mamet, the award-winning director, playwright, filmmaker, and author, is a bold and insightful book that challenges conventional wisdom in the acting world. While it’s a guide for actors, the book offers profound lessons that can be applied to leadership in various contexts. For Mamet acting isn’t simply about pretending; it is at its core – an act of truth-telling much like leadership.

This blog post explores these leadership lessons and how they can be used to foster a better understanding of leading people and teams. In many of the italicized quotes shared in this piece one can easily replace the word actor with leader and find real insight good leaders can apply.

Simplicity is Key

Mamet’s philosophy in "True and False" centers around simplicity and focus. He advocates for a straightforward approach to acting, without overcomplicating or overthinking the process.

“The actor is onstage to communicate the play to the audience. That is the beginning and the end of the actor’s job. They don’t need to “become” the character. There is no character. There are only lines on a page. There are lines of dialogue meant to be said by the actor. When they say them simply, in an attempt to achieve an object more or less like that suggested by the author, the audience sees an illusion of a character upon a stage.”

Leaders can apply this lesson by simplifying processes and communication within their organizations. Overly complex procedures and jargon can confuse team members, leading to inefficiency and miscommunication. By simplifying and focusing on the essentials, leaders can ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands the goals and objectives. By cutting through complexity and staying grounded in basic principles, leaders can guide their teams more effectively.

Trust Your Instincts

Mamet encourages actors to trust their instincts rather than relying solely on technical skills or over rehearsed techniques. This lesson is crucial for leaders as well. While it's important to have knowledge and expertise, true leadership often comes from trusting your intuition. Leaders who rely on their instincts can make decisions more confidently and encourage their teams to do the same. This creates a culture of empowerment, where individuals feel valued for their unique perspectives.

"The actor, in learning to be true and simple, in learning to speak to the point despite being frightened, and with no certainty of being understood, creates his own character; he forges character in himself."

Embrace Authenticity

Mamet champions authenticity in acting, emphasizing that the best performances come from being genuine rather than imitating others. Authenticity builds trust and credibility with team members, fostering a culture of integrity. When leaders are authentic, they build trust and rapport with their teams. This authenticity fosters loyalty and encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work, leading to greater creativity and innovation.

“You are not one of the myriad of interchangeable pieces, but a unique human being, and if you’re got something to say; say it and think well of yourself while you’re learning to say it better.”

Resist Over-Rehearsal

In the book, Mamet argues that over-rehearsing can lead to a loss of spontaneity and freshness in acting. For leaders, this translates into not over-planning or micromanaging. Leaders who resist the urge to control every detail allow for spontaneity and creativity to flourish within their teams. This flexibility can lead to innovative solutions and a more dynamic work environment.

Focus on the Objective

Mamet stresses the importance of having a clear objective when acting. This focus helps actors stay grounded and connected to their role, their lines. Similarly, leaders should always have a clear vision for their teams. When everyone understands the objective, it's easier to work towards a common goal. This clarity aligns the team and drives collective action, reducing confusion and increasing productivity.

“To deny nothing, inventing nothing, accept everything, and get on with it.”

Encourage Collaboration

Mamet believes that acting is a collaborative art form, where the best outcomes are achieved through teamwork. Leaders can take this lesson to heart by fostering a collaborative culture within their organizations. By encouraging teamwork and open communication, leaders create an environment where diverse perspectives can be shared freely, leading to better problem-solving and, and stronger team dynamics.

Learn from Failure

In "True and False," Mamet acknowledges that failure is part of the process. He encourages actors to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Leaders can apply this lesson by creating a culture where failure is not stigmatized but seen as a stepping-stone to success. By embracing failure, leaders foster resilience and encourage their teams to take risks, knowing that setbacks are part of the journey toward growth and improvement.

“Let us learn acceptance. This is one of the greatest tools an actor can have. The capacity to accept to wish things to happen as they do It is the root of all happiness in life, and it is the root of wisdom for an actor. Acceptance. The capacity to accept derives from the will and the will is the source of character.”

Value Discipline and Work Ethic

Mamet emphasizes the importance of discipline and a strong work ethic in acting. Leaders can draw from this lesson by instilling discipline within their teams. This doesn't mean being overly strict, but rather fostering a sense of commitment and responsibility. Leaders who set high standards and lead by example inspire their teams to work diligently toward achieving their goals.

“The challenge is to open the mouth, stand straight, and say the words bravely – adding nothing, denying nothing, and without the intent to manipulate anyone.  To learn to do that is to learn to act.”

Respect for the Craft

Mamet's respect for the craft of acting translates to the importance of respecting the expertise and experience of others. Leaders who respect their team's skills and provide them with the necessary resources and autonomy are more likely to build a motivated and engaged workforce.

“Like sports, the study of acting consists in the main of getting out of one’s own way and in learning to deal with uncertainty and being comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Be Courageous

Finally, Mamet's bold approach to challenging established norms in acting demonstrates courage. Leaders can take this lesson to heart by being willing to challenge the status quo and make bold decisions. Courageous leaders inspire others and drive change within their organizations, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

“The simple performance of the great deed is called heroism. The person who will not be swayed who perseveres no matter what – that hero has the capacity to inspire us, to suggest that we reexamine our self-imposed limitations and try again.”

In summary, True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor by David Mamet offers a wealth of lessons for leaders. By embracing simplicity, authenticity, and collaboration, leaders can build strong, dynamic teams and foster a culture of trust, creativity, and continuous improvement. Trusting instincts, resisting over-rehearsal, and encouraging courage can further enhance a leader's ability to guide their teams successfully. By applying these principles, leaders can inspire their teams to achieve greatness and foster a culture of innovation and growth.

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Tags: Agile, Coaching, Creativity

Aaron Wildavsky On Writing and Craftsmanship
Thinkers360
March 22, 2024

This week the IBM Center for The Business of Government posted a blog by Katherine Barrett, Richard Greene, and Don Kettl announcing the release of their monograph, The Little Guide to Writing for Impact: How to Communicate Research in a Way that People Will Read.

The subtitle is key. The authors acknowledge the importance that government officials write well with the intent to produce government communication that the public can understand and use. However, they are even more worried about a connected issue: “too many people with great academic training are writing about powerful ideas, backed by years of research, that are obscure at best and incomprehensible at worst.” The book is aimed at those people with big ideas who want people to read them.

As I read this blog, it reminded me of Aaron Wildavsky’s excellent book of essays, Craftways: On the Organization of Scholarly Work.Wildavsky, a premier figure in the field of public administration, was a true intellectual craftsman: a superb prose stylist as well as an acute mind. He truly believed that quality writing is ineluctably linked to quality of thought. This compilation of essays is his meditation on craftsmanship offering insight less on the mechanics of writing and more on the craft of communicating.  His focus on craftsmanship continues to make his work on such diverse topics as political culture, policy analysis, implementation, budgeting, and public administration approachable, engaging, and revelatory. I’d like to share some of his thoughts on the craft of writing and how he approached it throughout his career. It is intended as a nice and worthwhile complement to the guidance offered today by Barrett, Green, and Kettl.

“In the Same Place, at the Same Time, and in the Same Way”

This is the essay that started all. It began Wildavsky’s effort to state the rules of writing he followed so that others might adapt them for their own use. “Were it not for the warm reception accorded this [essay], I might not have continued developing this genre,” he admits. He believed that the basic elements of craftsmanship in social science were not being taught nor observed close to give students a sufficiently precise idea of how to do their scholarly work. Here are some insights in his own words.

Bridging that Chasm Between the Thought and the Deed. Even if the thought is in you, there is no guarantee it will come out. That gulf can only be bridged by taking seriously the task of organizing work.

Developing Appropriate Habits. In addition to having things to say, the ability to write depends on developing appropriate habits, finding the right kind of place, obtaining useful criticism, learning how to arrange material, working out suitable physical style, combining teaching with research, and overcoming temptations to divert energies.

Importance of Habit and Rhythm. One cannot overestimate the importance of habit and rhythm: Try to work in the same place, at the same time, and in the same way.  Once the rhythm of work begins to take hold, it carries one through fallow periods. It keeps you going through the inevitable descriptive passages that contain nothing new but are essential for the story you are telling or the point you wish to make.

‘I write when sit and think when I walk.’ [Wildavsky liked to write for an hour or two then walk and think over the next steps.] There is something about releasing the physical energy kept under control while writing that makes it easier to begin again.  It is a mistake to push oneself when the flesh is weak and the spirit unwilling. Writing is not only a mental but a physical process in which a sense of though connects thought with word.

Writing is a Process of Self-Discovery. That sometimes leads you to say more than you knew was in you or carries you far from original intentions. That is why I have learned not to worry about introductions to books or essays. There is no sense in trying too hard to get them “right” because you do not know what that will be until you finish. The purpose of a beginning is to get you started; when the work is completed, you can go back to the beginning and tell the reader not what you thought you were going to say but what you ended up saying.

“Rationality in Writing: Linear and Curvilinear”

In this essay, Wildavsky introduces two distinctly different ways to approach writing. He describes how he used each of these approaches in writing two of his book. However, the ultimate point of the essay is to underscore the connection between thought and writing.

Writing as an Integral Part of Thinking. A writer by vocation is a person who cares about the quality and craft of writing as inseparable from the content of whatever they are trying to communicate. Indeed, for me writing has become an integral part of thinking. I don’t know what I think until I have tried to write it. Sometimes the purpose of writing is to discover whether I can express what I think I know; if it cannot be written, it is not right. Other times I write to find out what I know; writing becomes a form of self discovery. I hope to learn more than was in me when I started. Few feelings compare with the exhilaration of discovering a thought in the writing that was not in the thinking.

Writing Should Resonate with the Subject Matter. Making the form fit the substance so style reinforces content, is what craftmanship is about. However, the style should also fit the author, for style is a personal signature. It should be possible to recognize the author from the style. However, it is one thing to want to read a piece because of the author and quite another to learn more about the author than the subject.

Linear or Curvilinear – “Straight on” or “Roundabout”. Books and essays can be written linearly, straight-on according to plan, with one topic following another in orderly sequence. They may also be written in curvilinear fashion much like fitting together the parts of a puzzle except that all pieces are not available at the beginning but only as one goes along, and the final shape is made up by the pieces instead of being fit into a predetermined form. Though process may be roundabout, the story should be linear.  I have written both ways and each has its pleasures and pitfalls.  Linear is easier, but it must be done consecutively, the relationship among the parts being retained, so that time is a critical constraint. Curvilinear is more rewarding because of the surprise at creating something new.

This blog shares only a snapshot of some of the salient insights about the craftsmanship of writing and the organization of scholarly pursuits as documented by Aaron Wildavsky. Craftways: On the Organization of Scholarly Work has even more to offer its reader exploring such diverse but complementary topics as reading with a purpose, working with others, organizing your time wisely, and how best to do interviews. Throughout these essays, Wildavsky tries to transmute the personal into the general. From his own experience coupled with his observation of others, he offers advice on the craft aspects of scholarship and writing. He admits this advice may be inadequate or out of place, so when in doubt, he advises the reader to do it their own way. In the acknowledgment, he makes another worthwhile suggestion for those who are interested in exploring craftways to checkout C. Wright Mills’ exemplary “On Intellectual Craftsmanship.”

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Tags: Coaching, Creativity, Leadership

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