How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems

Deloitte’s William Eggers discusses the “bridgebuilder” approach to government leadership — solving problems through collaboration with partners both inside and outside of the public sector.

August 11, 2023 •

As executive director of Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights, and someone who has worked on improving government for more than three decades, William Eggers has seen his share of reforms. While there has been no shortage of policy changes and technological innovation over the years, he believes something important is still missing — a strategy for modern government that focuses on implementation.

Why does government struggle with execution? Partly because the old model of government (what he refers to as the “vending machine”) no longer reflects reality. The days of identifying a problem and passing a law to create a new agency to deal with it in a vacuum are over. Most modern societal problems extend beyond the traditional boundaries of how legislatures define agencies and programs ... and these problems have no obvious solutions.

Indeed, when a problem such as homelessness encompasses factors such as the economy, mental health, drug addiction, the criminal justice system and family support systems and involves nonprofits as well as federal, state and local governments, any solution must engage all of these intricate and interrelated parts.

On this episode of ICYMI, Eggers discusses the fundamental challenges of modern governance, the blurred boundaries between the private and public sectors, rebuilding trust in government and the need to create an environment where leaders can question orthodoxies, explore ideas and become more agile — not just in response to a crisis, but as a regular part of how government operates.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the Bridgebuilders book
Read Deloitte’s studies on trust in government
Connect with William Eggers on LinkedIn

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Dustin Haisler is the president of Government Technology's parent company e.Republic. Previously the finance director and later CIO for Manor, Texas, a small city outside Austin, Haisler quickly built a track record and reputation as an early innovator in civic tech. As President, Haisler drives exponential growth, implements new ideas and promotes a corporate culture that rewards creativity. Read his full bio.

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Joseph Morris is the chief innovation officer of <i>Government Technology</i>’s parent company e.Republic and a national keynote speaker on issues, trends and drivers impacting state and local government and education. He has authored publications and reports on funding streams, technology investment areas and public-sector priorities, and has led roundtables, projects and initiatives focused on issues within the public sector. Joe has conducted state and local government research with e.Republic since 2007 and knows the ins and outs of government on all levels. He received his Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations from the California State University, Sacramento.

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How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems — ICYMI

Deloitte’s William Eggers discusses the “bridgebuilder” approach to government leadership — solving problems through collaboration with partners both inside and outside of the public sector.

COMING SOON

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