Transforming a Federal Agency

Chapter 13Differences Between the Private and Public Sectors

I was asked many times about the comparison of working in the private sector versus in government. This is a very interesting and appropriate question. My response differed depending on when I was asked. Not that I changed my mind on the subject—it's just that there was much to observe, and each week added a new subject. I actually kept notes on this topic throughout my term. Much of this is addressed throughout the book, but I thought it might be helpful to summarize the observation in a chapter.

As a broad observation based on my experience, the private sector prioritizes creating efficient, excellent financial and IT infrastructure. I believe there is much that could similarly be done in the public sector, but it would take a wide-scale, coordinated effort with bipartisan leadership support throughout government.

Please don't be discouraged by my assessment of differences. The feeling of working for the American people and making a tangible difference is satisfying. I've come to learn that public service is a noble cause everyone should experience. It's hard to comprehend just how much good the government does for the citizens to keep our country and its communities safe and protected. This is especially true during times of crisis. We can all, and should, debate the efficiency and extent of government involvement in our daily lives. We can also debate policy decisions. But make no mistake, to maintain our republic ...