Todd Pittinsky
One important source of innovations in democratic governance is the cross pollination of business approaches to government. A key way the public and private sectors are bridged is through the career mobility of individual leaders who cross sectors to work in the public sector – in elected and appointed roles – after making contributions in the private sector. Cross-sector pollination of ideas and approaches hold great promise for innovations in government. Although many individuals seek to cross sectors in their careers, there has been little research of individual experiences. With funding from the Ash Institute, Assistant Professor of Public Policy Todd L. Pittinsky and Professor of Public Service, and Director of the Center for Public Leadership, David Gergen are conducting in-depth research of business leaders who transitioned into government roles for significant periods – four years or more. The investigators are interviewing a sample of forty accomplished politicians – including U.S. Senators, Governors, and Mayors of large US cities – who had successful business careers, and later entered public service. They are analyzing this qualitative data to identify the challenges and success strategies for cross-sector career transitions. One outcome of the research will be a practitioner-oriented article to facilitate and encourage the transition of private sector leaders who, in the future, may wish to make contributions as public leaders.