Becoming an Effective Political Executive: 7 Lessons from Experienced Appointees

This report was prepared to assist new political appointees as they enter the political world of Washington, D.C. The study is based on two surveys of previous political appointees, as well as personal interviews with nearly 50 former political executives from both Democratic and Republican administrations. Their experiences have been distilled into seven key lessons: turn to your careerists, partner with your political colleagues, remember the White house, collaborate with Congress, think media, pace yourself, and enjoy the job. The report also includes four essays on working in Washington: "Working with the Congress" and "Working with the Media" by John H. Trattner; "Working with Career Executives to Manage for Results" by Dana Michael Harsell; and "Working to Transform Your Organization" by Mark A. Abramson and Paul R. Lawrence.