The Federal Management Playbook

Leading and Succeeding in the Public Sector

By: Ira Goldstein

Narrated by: Jon Pitt

Stories of government management failures often make the headlines, but quietly much gets done as well. What makes the difference? Ira Goldstein offers wisdom about how to lead and succeed in the federal realm, even during periods when the political climate is intensely negative, based on his decades of experience as a senior executive at two major government consulting firms and as a member of the US federal government's Senior Executive Service. The Federal Management Playbook coaches the importance of always keeping four key concepts in mind when planning for success: goals, stakeholders, resources, and time frames. Its chapters address how to effectively motivate government employees, pick the right technologies, communicate and negotiate with powerful stakeholders, manage risks, get value from contractors, foster innovation, and more. Goldstein makes lessons easy to apply by breaking each chapter's plans into three strategic phases: create an offensive strategy, execute your plan effectively, and play a smart defense. Additional tips describe how career civil servants and political appointees can get the most from one another, advise consultants on providing value to government, and help everyone better manage ever-present oversight. The Federal Management Playbook is a must-listen for anyone working in the government realm and for students who aspire to public service.

The book is published by Georgetown University Press.

©2016 Georgetown University Press (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"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)

"This is one of the best books I have ever read on how to improve the operations of government." (Charles A. Bowsher, retired Comptroller General of the United States, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and retired partner of Accenture)

It is really just a PM breakdown for Feds

Nothing new to see here, just project management for people that want to be high level Feds. I found almost nothing new of particular interest, or that related to a more universal approach.