Information Follows the Hierarchy

Information wants to be free may be a slogan that is en vogue with technology activists but it is also a slogan that diametrically opposed to how bureaucracy actually works.

Le triangle des bermudes

On the Internet information is omnidirectional; it is easy to find, verify and re-purpose. Whereas in the bureaucracy, information is at best bidirectional (much of it is actually unidirectional); it is difficult to locate, verify and re-purpose.

In short, inside the bureaucracy information follows the hierarchy, which in turn creates a need-to-know culture, a culture where information is parceled out slowly if at all.

This, in my humble opinion, will be the core challenge that needs to be addressed in back offices of any bureaucracy looking to deliver on Open Government for its citizenry.




Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect

I need a (small) favour

Hi Everyone,
I have a small favour to ask you.  
I've started to work informally with a small Startup based in Waterloo.  We are developing a product that helps people turn their digital social media footprint into a weekly mail out to family, friends, and/or stakeholders. We've reached the point where we need some beta testers.  There will be absolutely no cost to you to demo the product, we just want your honest feedback.  If you are interested in helping us by testing out the service please let me know.  
We'd really appreciate it.
Cheers
Nick
Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect

MBR: Bureaucratically Incorrect: Letters to a Young Public Servant

I decided I was going to read a book a week for a year, here's a quick review of this week's book.  You can see the ongoing list here.

Basic Info

Bureaucratically Incorrect: Letters to a Young Public Servant by Bob Chartier

Why I bought it

Although I had been looking for this book for a while now, I haven't been able to locate it (its out of print) until recently.  As it happens my friend Laura found herself with two copies and she was kind enough to give me one.

The author, Bob Chartier, is a Canadian civil servant, a leader in his own right, and a friend.  I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Bob a couple of times in my career and he has always been kind enough to share his knowledge with me the old fashioned way; through real conversation.

How it connects to the Public Sector

The book takes the form of a series of letters from an experienced public servant to a young one (whom Bob affectionately addresses as Grasshopper).  Each letter focuses on particular lesson and the book covers a gamut of public sector issues and if Bob was more technologically inclined he probably would have published the book as a series of blog posts.  They are short, poignant, and to the point.  

What I got out of reading it

Given that I have spent time with Bob in the past, I was familiar with some of the stories he shares in the book, but that didn't detract from the experience at all.  

I put down the book feeling like the book should be online somewhere (maybe I will speak to him about that) or a should establish another site that takes the premise to the next level; a fictitious exchange of letters (emails?) between those at opposite ends of the spectrum of public service experience.

If you can't get your hands on a copy of the book, you can always check out this article he wrote to get a better sense of where he is coming from.

Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect

The Kind of Work I'd Like to Do

Hi Everyone,
The last two weeks have been pretty hectic, while budgets were tabled and bureaucrats tasked with sorting it out,  I've spent a considerable amount of time dealing with things a little closer to home.  
It's funny how family issues focus you on that which is most important to you.  While I choose to withhold some of the details, I will say that my daughter and I have made more trips to the hospital in the last two weeks than any parent should.  Things finally seem to be turning the corner and we continue to hope for the best, trust in the expertise of her physicians, and appreciate being able to lean on those who have offered their support.

"shock" by Meredith_Farmer

While the last two weeks have been difficult, they have also reaffirmed by faith in the system.  The care my daughter had received has been absolutely top notch.  Our doctors and nurses have gone out of their way to ensure my daughter is well attended, that her parents understand what is going on, and that we are relevant and involved in the decision making.  
While often heart wrenching, it was also incredibly humanizing.  Sometimes the little things are the things that matter the most.  A doctor paying attention to the fact that my daughter was sad about missing pizza day last week at school and scheduling appointments around it the follow week or making time in between ORs (surgeries) to see her for a follow up.  
I can't help but think this is what public service is about - tangible, humanizing, high impact, and relational.  
I think it's the kind of work that people with passion for public service would want to do; I think it's the kind of work that I'd like to do.
After all, who wouldn't want to leave work every day knowing they made a difference in the life of a little girl, my little girl.
Cheers,
Nick
Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect

MBR: Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

I decided I was going to read a book a week for a year, here's a quick review of this week's book.  You can see the ongoing list here.

Basic Info

Predictably Irrational Revised And Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely

Why I bought it

Ariely's TED talks caught my eye (a common theme so far), namely  has a couple of TED talks that caught my eye, namely:

1. Are We in Control of Our Own Decisions
2. Our Buggy Moral Code

In both of which Ariely explores the realm of behavioural economics by sharing details of some of his more interesting research experiments (he is a university professor).

How it connects to the public sector

"... we are not only irrational, but predictably irrational - that our irrationality happens the same way, again and again.  Whether we are acting as consumers, businesspeople, or policy makers, understanding how we are predictably irrational provides a starting point for improving our decision making and changing the way we live for the better." (xx, Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely) (emphasis added).

What I got out of reading it
There are a myriad of things that effect our day to day decision making, most of which never gets a second look, but probably always should.  As it relates to work, I was particularly interested in the section on relativity (I was also fascinated by the section on arousal, but for unrelated reasons).
After reading the chapter on relativity, I started thinking differently about how I see success, to whom I compare myself to, and whom I try to learn from an emulate (e.g. the grass is always greener type thinking).  There was a really neat visual experiment early in the chapter that really drove the point home (click to enlarge):

The question Ariely poses in the book is which circle is bigger; but ultimately it's a trick question.  They are both the same size.  The lesson in general is that relativity larger determines perception.  The lesson, as it relates to a concept like success is the same, so be mindful of whom you are comparing yourself to.  In social media fuelled world, where you can see every intimate detail of your extended network of friends, acquaintances and colleagues, its often easy to get so caught up in what other people are up to that you lose your bearings.

But there was a lot more to the book than this particular example.  Overall, I walked way appreciating Ariely's penchant for experimentation and story telling.  Both of which undoubtedly made Predictably Irrational an enlightening and entertaining read.

Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect