Good Reading

Governing notes several good books for leaders of public organizations.

An excerpt.

“I'm often asked for reading suggestions for public officials looking to get up to speed on innovative management. So here is my list of essential readings, just in time for last-minute holiday gift giving.

“I'll start by tooting my own horn. If We Can Put a Man on the Moon, co-authored by yours truly and William D. Eggers, recently made the Washington Post bestseller list. The book provides an enjoyable look at what makes big government initiatives successful. Filled with tools for public officials, the book makes it easier to avoid the hidden traps that loom on the journey to success, and it's a nonpartisan and constructive look at how to make government work better.

“Though not specifically geared for public officials, Switch by Chip and Dan Heath is another highly readable look at what makes organizational change possible. Not only can the book help you bring changes to an entrenched bureaucracy, it just might help you stick to your diet, too.

“For those looking to instill a culture of innovation in public organizations, The Public Innovator's Playbook by Eggers and Shalabh Kumar Singh is a great overview that offers a systematic approach to the challenge. Full of real-world case studies, it explores the conditions that make innovation part of an organization's DNA, rather than just a one-time phenomenon.

“Government innovation is also the topic of Leading Public Sector Innovation by Christian Bason of Denmark's MindLab group. With clear writing and concrete examples, Bason demonstrates how public officials can embrace a new way of thinking -- despite some challenging obstacles. Bason's hands-on experience at MindLab makes the book extremely practical. As problems grow more complex, the innovation culture described in the book becomes increasingly important

“For those involved in social services, The Power of Social Innovation by Stephen Goldsmith looks at how a new breed of entrepreneurs both inside and outside of government are changing the way we think about helping troubled neighborhoods. The book offers powerful examples of transformational change.”