If you really want to get something done, turn to the #government.

Does anyone ever say this? Well, yes…

Join the discussion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_turn-to-government-to-change-things-activity-7049280555044986880-TDRV/

If the PM or President could make one call, with whichever participants you want, and direct or challenge them – do you know what you actually want the government to do, or stop doing?

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Normally, I’m really down on ‘policy’. This is the bitterness of a spurned lover — fresh from university (and ‘a certain course’ which has featured heavily in UK politics), I assumed I might at some point have some strategic role shaping the way life went in our country.

I’m so glad I started at the bottom — in an admin, operational role. I could see that however grand the policy, the reality on the ground was usually harshly different.

And then I experienced politics — as a non-political adviser. Mostly good people, mostly wanting the best, but the pressures and incentives make unproductive behaviour mostly inevitable.

And the last 14 years have made me think more about how much government can take away and destroy.
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So why am I enthused now?

Because I just heard a podcast with Tom Kalilabout ‘policy #entrepreneurship which points out how government can drive #innovation, #creativity, and think about the #future — and can be inspired by individuals to do so. 

Some of the ideas included:
• Set up prizes and competitions, send out purchase orders for things you want to be created so you can buy then — with awareness of risks of outcomes
• Us the convening power of political leaders — the ‘bully pulpit’ — to challenge and get ‘all hands on deck’
• Make actual policy changes — law, budget, executive powers
• Make sure you get the people into government you actually need to deliver
• Reduce the constraints — in a survey question of funded scientists who were asked ‘if you had the same money you have now but could do something different with it, would you?’, 78% said they would change…

And how can you go about this?

Think about what you really want to achieve, have answers to the questions people in authority will have, map the sector and the actors — work out what the opposition might be, work in new areas, get the right support.
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As Tom says, it’s easy to have a strong sense of agency when you spent eight years in a role where you could write a memo to the US President, they might check the box, then they might mention it in the State of the Union address…

…but it makes me think about what’s possible, for a change.

So.
If the PM or President could make one call, with whichever participants you want, and direct or challenge them — do you know what you actually want the government to do, or stop doing?