I'm having trouble thinking of the title of an important book by an author at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. The book came out in 2010 or earlier (possibly earlier). It is about the role of leadership and insight in good government. It opens with the example of a town library, where more and more kids are hanging out after school (for example, til parents come home). Should the library (A) make sure the kids are gone, or silent, to preserve the legacy atmosphere of the library? Or should the library (B) adapt and change to a new group of constituents, needs, and services. (Obviously, the author favors B). But the point of the book was to help leaders (in government) see flexibility where they previously saw barriers, or where they stuck unnecessariliy to "the way we used to do it" when change was becoming important. Can you help me identify the name of the book?
GPT4
It seems like you are referring to the book "The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World" by Ronald A. Heifetz, Alexander Grashow, and Marty Linsky. The book was published in 2009 and focuses on helping leaders adapt to changing situations, recognize the need for change, and find innovative solutions. The authors are associated with the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and the book emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in leadership, especially in the context of government and public service organizations.
BQ
That sounds like a very good answer and a book on my topic. I don't recognize that title, however. Do you have any second or third choice that meets our criteria?
GPT4
I apologize if my initial response didn't match the book you were looking for. It's possible that I may not have enough information to accurately identify the book. However, here are two additional titles that might be relevant to your description:
"Leadership Without Easy Answers" by Ronald A. Heifetz (published in 1994)
This book also discusses leadership in the context of government and organizations, emphasizing the need for leaders to adapt and deal with complex challenges.
"Leading Change" by John P. Kotter (published in 1996)
While not directly associated with the Kennedy School of Government, John Kotter is a well-known professor at Harvard Business School. In this book, he presents an eight-step process for managing change within organizations.
If you could provide any additional information about the author or the content of the book, I would be happy to try again to help you identify the title.
BQ
What if we said Harvard School for Public Policy or Public Administration?
GPT4
If we expand our search to include the broader Harvard community related to public policy and administration, another book that might fit your description is:
"Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government" by Mark H. Moore (published in 1995)
Mark H. Moore is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and has written extensively on public management and leadership. While the specific example you mentioned may not be present in this book, the theme of adapting to the needs of the public and making strategic decisions in government is central to its content.
BQ
YES. This 1995 book was purchased by me - per Amazon - in 2005, the second year i worked in a government job. I was able to search the text via AMAZON and the library example is on page 13-14, at the beginning of the book. so this was it !!! Thank you. Moore, Creating Public value.
GPT4
You're welcome! I'm glad we were able to find the correct book. "Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government" by Mark H. Moore is indeed a valuable resource for understanding public sector management and leadership. I hope you find it as useful now as you did when you first purchased it. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.
BQ
Do you have enough information to discuss the book for example from reviews you might have read or other information.
GPT4
Yes, I can provide a summary and discussion of "Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government" by Mark H. Moore based on the information available.
In this book, Moore presents the concept of "public value" as a guiding principle for public managers and leaders. He argues that the central challenge for public sector managers is to create public value while operating within the constraints of limited resources and competing demands. The book provides a framework for strategic management in government that emphasizes three main components: defining public value, organizing resources to create value, and measuring the value produced.
Moore's framework revolves around the "strategic triangle," which consists of three key elements:
Public Value: Public managers should focus on creating value for citizens, such as improved quality of life, better public services, and social equity. This requires understanding the needs and preferences of the public, as well as making trade-offs between competing goals.
Legitimacy and Support: Public managers must navigate the political and institutional environment to gain support for their initiatives from elected officials, interest groups, and other stakeholders. This involves building relationships, negotiating, and aligning their goals with the broader public interest.
Operational Capacity: Public managers need to effectively mobilize resources, such as personnel, financial, and organizational assets, to deliver public value. This involves designing appropriate organizational structures, processes, and systems that facilitate the achievement of public value.
Throughout the book, Moore draws on various case studies to illustrate the application of the public value framework in real-world situations. He emphasizes the importance of innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning for public managers, as well as the need to balance short-term demands with long-term strategic thinking.
"Creating Public Value" has been widely recognized as a seminal work in the field of public administration and management. It offers valuable insights for public sector leaders and managers, helping them understand their roles in creating value for the public and guiding them in making strategic decisions.
