Years ago, I read a book called Governing by Network: The New Shape of the Public Sector by Stephen Goldsmith and William D. Eggers. All of my clients were reading it and talking about its implications for the future of governance and service delivery within government. I witnessed some public sector organizations as they put some of the concepts into practice, but there always seemed to be something missing. Even if it was more networked, governance was always difficult. People were set in their ways and dug in their heels.
Last night, I took the book out again and dusted it off. I thought there might be some relevant concepts I could borrow for a project I’m working on right now. I flipped through it and then stopped at the conclusion:
A complicated world, where individuals face highly complex, individualized problems, necessitates a new approach to delivering public services but also provides the necessary tools for the solution. Networked approaches produce both abundant opportunities for substantial improvements in public services and serious management challenges. We found many talented and innovative leaders who put together networks that produce enormous value. These capable public servants, the new face of the public sector, provide important lessons others would be wise to follow as, increasingly, democratic governance will mean relying on networks to enhance the quality of life for citizens around the world.
While there are some passing references to collaboration software and things of that kind in the book, things like social media, Web 2.0, and Government 2.0 were not part of most people’s vocabulary when this book came out in 2004. Experts like Tim O’Reilly were just starting to talk about Web 2.0 around that time and it certainly wasn’t a mainstream concept understood by those who were involved in governing.
Now that Government 2.0 is working its way into the mainstream, I think Governing by Network is worth dusting off again. We now have the tools to make those concepts into reality and the public is ready for it too. I also know that as smart, innovative and motivated leaders like Martha, Laura, Angelina, Tanya and so many of their colleagues work their way through and up the public service, those networks that Goldsmith and Eggers were talking about have a better chance of becoming reality.
I look forward to continuing to be a part of that shift, both on the inside (as a consultant to government) and on the outside (as a citizen, business owner, advocate, and volunteer).
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Annie,
Great post! A good reminder of the wonderful older resources available that helped to generate thinking we’re only now starting to see come to life.
It’s interesting how a digital network has enabled a stronger, more connected and powerful person-to-person network.
I appreciate the shout out and can say that without a doubt that being innovative and motivated is easy and rewarding when in such inspired company.
I look forward to other gems you find now that you’ve dusted that book off
Cheers and thanks!
@mjmclean
Hey Annie
Love this post. The topic is so important. I think it’s the one thing that private sector doesn’t really “get” about the public sector yet: we are just as tapped in as they are. In fact, because departments aren’t competing with each other to serve the public, we are probably even more inclined to share and reuse. Why reinvent the wheel? Someone out there must have done this before, so let me reach into my network and find that person.
This is my second run in the public service and I have to say that my network makes my life so much easier this time around. As I mentioned on Twitter recently, I know that I can find just about any information I need within a couple of shout-outs (whether on Twitter, GCPedia or by picking up the phone).
Is it naive to think departments have never been this tapped into one another? Or does it just feel like we can access and leverage the network’s knowledge more rapidly as a result of the online tools? Either way, it’s one of my favourite aspects of working in Gov right now.
Thanks for shout-out
ts
Thanks for the nice mention of the book. Steve is now deputy mayor of New York where he is putting in place many of the ideas. I am doing a lot of new work on performance networks and public private ecosystems and the relation to social media.