Applying Successes of Private Entities in Today’s Federal Agencies

There is no sugarcoating the fact that we need to redesign agencies to address modern problems and take advantage of modern tools. Any leader effectuating change in a federal agency needs to carefully consider how to meet the mission of the agency and manage the expectations of the public while working within federal regulations and budgetary restrictions.  This is no different than any corporate leader, right? 

Board rooms all across this great nation are filled with immensely successful leaders discussing fact based, data driven, customer focused trends that must be immediately instituted to bring corporations to the next level.  While there is no argument that these data tools and tactics definitely have a place within the federal government allowing agency leaders to improve their decisions, program missions, and overall management of agency resources, the bottom line is never the same as it is in the boardroom. As much as people like to argue that it is, the focus of a federal program can never solely be profit driven.  And unlike corporate America, the results of a federal manager’s idea, process or program, are simply not measurable in the same way.  

Moreover, as a federal employee, the rules are different, the stakes are higher, and you are taking a risk when making changes.  We appreciate the dedication of civil servants, but we also know that it is often the most dedicated who must withstand the scrutiny and oversight when a program or process, or a piece of that process, doesn’t meet expectations or can be used for political posturing.  The need to assign blame or accountability opens the floodgates for all types of scrutiny at all levels, specifically those managing employees, a major project or specific aspects or processes of a project.  As a federal employee, your risks, in many cases, are much more significant than worry over simply being fired for an idea or process gone wrong.  (As a provider of professional liability insurance, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention your agency will reimburse half of the cost of the insurance to protect yourself from these very risks).

As a federal leader, embrace these new ideas, systems and innovations that are showing promise in the private sector.  Incorporate fact based, data driven and customer focused decisions, if and when they make sense.  Remember the bottom line of your mission, and that while public funds certainly need to be managed appropriately, profitability is not the basis or bottom line of any federal agency.