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 Leading
Smart Transformation asserts that governmental effectiveness and
economic prosperity are inextricably linked, hence the
importance of redesigning government to achieve effective change
Harry Truman has famously quipped,
“Wherever you have an efficient government you have a
dictatorship.” When unbridled capitalism and commerce were
touted to be the most successful and effective force for social
change, there was an attempt to downplay the role of governments
in safeguarding the future stability and prosperity of their
people.
An important reason cited to justify this argument has been that
most of the governments are ponderous, conservative and
slow-moving behemoths.
While corporations have proved adept at change, governments have
continued to govern according to established rules. While many
in government exhort captains of industry to embrace
innovations, they have not done so in their own sector.
However, the recent governmental intervention to avoid an
economic meltdown from the banking crisis has reinforced the
point that governments have an important, sometimes, vital
economic role. In an increasingly globalised and connected
world, governments will have an effective role in creating,
supporting and nurturing the future competitive position of
cities, regions and nations.
The book under review, Leading Smart Transformation - A Roadmap
for World-Class Government, talks about the urgent need to
overhaul the machinery of government to make the public sector
work more efficiently and
become a true enabler of economic and social progress.
Jointly written by four distinguished scholars-Andrew Kakabasde,
Mohamed Omar Abdullah, Rabin Abouchakra and Ali Qassim Jawad-the
book offers crucial insights into the strategies of the most
effective governments in the world, drawing on decades of
research and experience.
At the heart of the book, and the concept of smart
transformation, is the idea that government along with
corporations must take responsibility for finding a balanced
business model; one that meets the needs of shareholders as well
as other stakeholders, such as employees, customers and local
communities.
Leading Smart Transformation describes a holistic, rapid,
flexible, dynamic approach, where leadership is integral to the
process, stakeholders are fully engaged, and last but not least,
the transformation programme is well planned with a clear
roadmap linking the various components of the cycle.
The book examines the catalytic power of leadership in creating
lasting change. The successful transformation of governments, a
more sizable and troubling challenge, requires a competent
leadership.
The smart transformation model allows the governments to
translate the leadership vision into a workable and measurable
strategic plan. It ensures that the necessary human talent,
organizational design and execution focus is in place to make
the vision a reality.
The book also looks into certain important areas which are
essential to drive home the smart transformation such as
adopting global best practices, X-factor leadership, discipline
of change, engaging stakeholders etc.
There is no denying the fact that governmental effectiveness and
economic prosperity are inextricably linked. At a time when
global geopolitics and world economy have undergone unparalleled
change and uncertainty, the need for smart government could not
be starker.
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