The hidden trade-offs of development
What else changes when a reform succeeds? Reflecting on Michael Woolcock's final lecture at the World Bank, this article explores the hidden trade-offs that shape implementation.
What else changes when a reform succeeds? Reflecting on Michael Woolcock's final lecture at the World Bank, this article explores the hidden trade-offs that shape implementation.
Most public sector reforms don’t fail at approval. They stall in implementation—when technical design, operational capacity, and political support fall out of alignment. The Strategic Triangle helps you see where your reform is likely to break—and where to act before it does.
Vision is easy. Implementation is everything. This practical guide dives into why government reforms stall—and what effective public leaders do differently. Learn how to move from strategy to execution with a realistic roadmap, overcome coordination debt, and build the systems that make change stick. If you’re a public servant tasked with delivering results, this isn’t theory—it’s your implementation field guide.
AI is moving fast — but government is stuck in pilot mode. While 78% of companies are using AI, just 12% of public agencies have deployed GenAI. The gap is growing. In this post, I unpack why — and what it’ll take for government to catch up, scale up, and lead.
Why do we put off the things we care about most? In government, where time is tight and stakes are high, procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s about friction. This post unpacks six common blockers and practical ways to overcome them. If you’re stuck on that task you’ve been avoiding, start here.
Multitasking feels productive — especially in government — but it’s quietly draining your time and focus. Discover why task-switching costs you up to 40% of your productivity, and learn five simple, research-backed strategies to reclaim your attention and do more of what matters.
Overworked in government? Discover 5 powerful AI tools that help public servants save time, streamline repetitive tasks, and focus on what really matters. Learn how to use ChatGPT, Perplexity, NotebookLM, and more—with real examples tailored to the public sector.