Leadership and Innovation: Entrepreneurs in Government

by Professor Jameson W. Doig (Editor)

Jameson W. Doig and Erwin C. Hargrove outline a perspective on leadership in government that emphasizes entrepreneurship. They show how government executives' ability to set goals, generate support inside and outside the bureaucracy, and implement innovative ideas-- even at risk to their own careers-- can have a significant impact on their organizations and on society. In this abridged edition, biographical studies of David Lilienthal, Hyman Rickover, James Webb, Nancy Hanks, Robert McNamara, Wilbur Cohen, Robert Ball, and Austin Tobin illustrate a variety of skills and strategies used by effective executives. Doig and Hargrove describe their styles as ranging from "rhetorical leaders" to "entrepreneurial administrators". Yet these diverse leaders share some important traits, including a capacity to see historical opportunity, the ability to mobilize constituencies, and a desire to "make a difference".

472 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1987

Reviews

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited review of Public administrative policy and history. The best are sharply drawn and sophisticated essays that place bureaucrats in the context of the battle between executive and legislative branches, but also show depth of understanding about specific agencies. Recommended for political science students.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

basically you have to want to read this.