The Federal Management Playbook: Leading and Succeeding in the Public Sector

by Ira Goldstein, Tom Davis (Foreword by)

Overview

In The Federal Management Playbook, Goldstein draws on his decades of experience as a consulting executive and federal government executive to coach how to effectively motivate government employees, pick the right technologies, communicate and negotiate with powerful stakeholders, manage risks, get value from contractors, and foster innovation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626163720
Publisher:	Georgetown University Press
Publication date:	11/01/2016
Series:	Public Management and Change Series
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ira Goldstein is a founder and former director of Deloitte’s US Federal Practice, providing consulting and advisory services to large federal agencies and departments. He previously held the position in the federal government of the US Assistant Comptroller General and Chief Operating Officer of the US Government Accountability Office.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Tom DavisPreface and AcknowledgementsIntroduction: Why This Book? 1. Key Dimensions of Success2. Empowering Your Most Valuable Asset—Your People3. Managing the Complex New World of Technology4. Creating and Leading a Well-Designed Organization5. Communications—What’s the Good Word? 6. Getting Value from Contracting7. Risk-Based Decision Making8. The Wide Wonderful World of Innovation9. Tips for Living with Oversight Organizations10. Tips for Political Appointees Managing Civil Servants11. Tips for Civil Servants “Managing” Political Appointees12. Tips for Consultants—and the Feds Who Use ThemConclusion: Four Common ThreadsAppendix: Summary of Key TakeawaysIndex About the Author

What People are Saying About This

Charles A. Bowsher

This is one of the best books I have ever read on how to improve the operations of government. Ira Goldstein has had a forty-five year career as a senior government official in Washington and also as a senior consultant with two major consulting firms—Deloitte and Arthur Andersen. Anyone, elected officials, presidential appointees, career government executives, consultants, and even young government recruits, would benefit from reading this book in order to assist them in achieving success when working in or for the government.

Rosemary O'Leary

Ira Goldstein is a modern day Chester Barnard offering wise insights, stories, and tips based on his years working at the highest levels of U.S. government. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to be successful in the business of government at any level.

Chris Van Hollen

I have long believed that government can be a powerful force for positive change. But too often, progress is hampered by preventable breakdowns in leadership. Ira Goldstein’s blueprint for effective management — even in the face of unpredictable challenges, like budget stalemates in Congress — offers valuable guidance to fully harness the power of our talented federal workforce to improve the lives of every American.

Paul Posner

This book offers a penetrating overview of the challenges involved in managing federal agencies during a time of challenging deficits, record polarization and rising public expectations. The book delivers numerous important insights, gleaned from the author's distinguished career as a leader in federal agencies and major consulting firms. Importantly, many of the cases covered offer positive examples of hard working senior managers achieving reform and change — a refreshing antidote to the prevailing cynicism about public service.

Paul A. Volcker

Far too often these days, public service is denigrated. It’s easy to point to failures—failures rooted in politics as well as management—in the administration of public policies. Ira Goldstein has a different perspective in The Federal Management Playbook. Government is important. It’s not going to go away and it’s enormously complex. We’ve got to do better. We need good 'bureaucrats'—skilled, committed, experienced career officials. We also need political direction and oversight, and these days we need competent consultants and contractors. The Playbook hammers home ways and means of working together to achieve the effective and efficient execution of public policies that we want and deserve.

Editorial Reviews

Goldstein provides a thoughtful, comprehensive look at how a federal manager can start managing more effectively right away.

The Public Manager

I have long believed that government can be a powerful force for positive change. But too often, progress is hampered by preventable breakdowns in leadership. Ira Goldstein’s blueprint for effective management — even in the face of unpredictable challenges, like budget stalemates in Congress — offers valuable guidance to fully harness the power of our talented federal workforce to improve the lives of every American.

Chris Van Hollen

Ira Goldstein is a modern day Chester Barnard offering wise insights, stories, and tips based on his years working at the highest levels of U.S. government. This book is a must read for anyone seeking to be successful in the business of government at any level.

Rosemary O'Leary

This is one of the best books I have ever read on how to improve the operations of government. Ira Goldstein has had a forty-five year career as a senior government official in Washington and also as a senior consultant with two major consulting firms—Deloitte and Arthur Andersen. Anyone, elected officials, presidential appointees, career government executives, consultants, and even young government recruits, would benefit from reading this book in order to assist them in achieving success when working in or for the government.

Charles A. Bowsher

This book offers a penetrating overview of the challenges involved in managing federal agencies during a time of challenging deficits, record polarization and rising public expectations. The book delivers numerous important insights, gleaned from the author's distinguished career as a leader in federal agencies and major consulting firms. Importantly, many of the cases covered offer positive examples of hard working senior managers achieving reform and change — a refreshing antidote to the prevailing cynicism about public service.

Paul Posner

Far too often these days, public service is denigrated. It’s easy to point to failures—failures rooted in politics as well as management—in the administration of public policies. Ira Goldstein has a different perspective in The Federal Management Playbook. Government is important. It’s not going to go away and it’s enormously complex. We’ve got to do better. We need good 'bureaucrats'—skilled, committed, experienced career officials. We also need political direction and oversight, and these days we need competent consultants and contractors. The Playbook hammers home ways and means of working together to achieve the effective and efficient execution of public policies that we want and deserve.

Paul A. Volcker

"This is one of the best books I have ever read on how to improve the operations of government. Ira Goldstein has had a forty-five year career as a senior government official in Washington and also as a senior consultant with two major consulting firms — Deloitte and Arthur Andersen. Anyone, elected officials, presidential appointees, career government executives, consultants, and even young government recruits, would benefit from reading this book in order to assist them in achieving success when working in or for the government." — Charles A. Bowsher, Retired Comptroller General of the United States, Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and retired partner of Accenture

"Far too often these days, public service is denigrated. It's easy to point to failures — failures rooted in politics as well as management — in the administration of public policies. Ira Goldstein has a different perspective in The Federal Management Playbook. Government is important. It's not going to go away and it's enormously complex. We've got to do better. We need good 'bureaucrats' — skilled, committed, experienced career officials. We also need political direction and oversight, and these days we need competent consultants and contractors. The Playbook hammers home ways and means of working together to achieve the effective and efficient execution of public policies that we want and deserve." — Paul A. Volcker, Chairman, The Volcker Alliance

From the Publisher