2012

Winter 2012: Memos to National Leaders

The last four months have been filled with political ads, debates, and a presidential election, and while we couldn't completely rid ourselves of this once-every-four-years event, we could approach it from a totally different angle. This issue of the journal takes an in-depth view of how the president and other leaders can set policy to improve government management, operations, and execution—on financial and budget reform, intergovernmental relationships, technology, transparency, and reorganization. If you were writing a memo to the president, what would you include?

 

 

Summer 2012: Casting a Global Net for Collaborative Governance

The summer 2012 issue kicks off with a mini-forum on inter-institutional collaboration overseas. With an emphasis on governance solutions for interdependent times, Sarah Ringler reports on what she has observed on efforts to promote minority rights in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina; David Simpson shares his thoughts on how the global community is continually strengthened through exchange programs; and Oblayon B. Nyemah and Donnell Scott provide first-hand reporting on successful governance reform in Liberia. Closer to home, Geoffrey Abbott explores the challenges posed by transferring best practices across organizational boundaries.

Spring 2012: Designing and Developing for Success

Welcome to our spring issue of The Public Manager. Imagine yourself in a favorite space. I’m reading you this column. Eyes closed, you are contemplative. You reflect on where you and your team have been, and then you envision where you want to go next. Now, open your eyes. Look around. It’s time for designing and developing for success. Research shows that it’s important to look inward to lead forward; experts make a solid case for introspection before charging ahead. In this issue we address visual, intellectual, and conceptual design.

Fall 2012: Innovations in Learning

This month’s issue examines myriad topics to help senior government executives and middle managers increase performance, and support employee learning and development. Along with the articles about reducing the cost of government and implementing a strategic plan, this issue examines how great leaders connect with the people they lead, how to build a relevant leadership development program at all levels of government, and the role that executives and managers play in growing the next generation of leaders. Leaders—including managers and supervisors—are playing a more vital role in the engagement, skills training, and daily development of their employees. But what characteristics and leadership traits are needed in today’s business climate?