Succeeding as a Political Executive: Fifty Insights from Experienceis based on the real-life experience of 64 high-level executives who served in the Obama Administration. Most were at the agency head level. From 2009 to 2015, the authors conducted a series of interviews with these individuals, gaining insights into running government organizations. This book is aimed at those interested in the transition of power to the next presidential administration starting in 2017.

Paul R. Lawrence is a partner at Ernst& Young and a leader in the government and public sector practice.Mark A. Abramson is president of Leadership, Inc.

AcknowledgmentsChapter One: IntroductionPart One: The Path to SucceedingChapter Two: The Right People in the Right JobChapter Three: Getting a Presidential AppointmentChapter Four: Between Nomination and ConfirmationChapter Five: ArrivingChapter Six: StartingChapter Seven: Deploying Management LeversChapter Eight: Strengthening the OrganizationChapter Nine: Managing Your Federal CareerPart Two: Succeeding at the JobChapter Ten: Succeeding as a Deputy SecretaryChapter Eleven: Succeeding as a ProducerChapter Twelve: Succeeding as a RegulatorChapter Thirteen: Succeeding as a Science ExecutiveChapter Fourteen: Succeeding as an InfrastructorChapter Fifteen: Succeeding as a CollaboratorPart Three: Perspectives from EuropeChapter Sixteen: Insights from European ExecutivesIndex of Interviewers and IntervieweesReferencesAbout the Authors