If I Was the President's Chief of Staff...


• Ministry of Health: How healthily are the people living?
⁃ (health, disease, environment, veterans, etc.)
• Ministry of Security: How securely are the people enjoying liberty?
⁃ (defense, justice, civil liberties)
• Ministry of Opportunity: How good are the opportunities for the people to pursue happiness?
⁃ (commerce, agriculture, education, interior)
• Ministry of Effectiveness: how effectively is the government serving the people?
⁃ (treasury, omb, inspector general)

I suspect all policy wonks must occasionally dream about they'd do if they were President. I wouldn't know, since i just realized that (surprisingly) I'm not actually into policy per se. Rather, my passion for politics stems from my interest in authentic leadership. That (among many other reasons, I'm sure) is why I wouldn't make a good President; I'd rather be Chief of Staff. I'd prefer to focus my efforts on restoring focus, transparency and accountability to government by nurturing Purpose, People, and Process.

In particular, my dream is to reorganize the Cabinet into three Ministries, each responsible for answering a specific question regarding Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness:
• Ministry of Health: How healthily are the people living?
⁃ (health, disease, environment, veterans, etc.)
• Ministry of Security: How securely are the people enjoying liberty?
⁃ (defense, justice, civil liberties)
• Ministry of Opportunity: How good are the opportunities for the people to pursue happiness?
⁃ (commerce, agriculture, education, interior)

Plus, one reflective ministry:
• Ministry of Effectiveness: how effectively is the government serving the people?
⁃ (treasury, omb, inspector general)

The idea is that each Ministry would be run like its own corporation, with the Minister as CEO, the President as Chairman, and Congressional Committees as the Board of Directors (representing the interests of "the people" rather than shareholders).

The key would be having both intrinsic (direct) and extrinsic (indirect) metrics of success, which each Minister would be accountable for improving. Those metrics would themselves be managed by "Min. E", who would be responsible for ensuring those incentives are a) credible, and b) aligned with the needs of the people.

Yeah, I know it seems like an irrelevant pipe dream now. But someday -- come the revolution! -- politicians will not be judged by their cleverness or ideological purity, but by their measurable service to the people.

Posted: Fri - July 1, 2005 at 06:31 AM        

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