The Business of Government Hour

Why do so many great ideas fail to scale? What separates organizations that innovate once from those that innovate continuously? And what can government leaders learn about building partnerships that turn bold ideas into real results? Join me, Michael J. Keegan, for a conversation exploring insights from the book Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive […]

What does it take to run the most operationally complex department in the federal government? Securing borders. Responding to disasters. Protecting critical infrastructure. At the Department of Homeland Security, keeping those missions running takes focused management. Join host Michael J. Keegan as he discusses these topics and more with Troy Edgar, Deputy Secretary of Homeland […]

What does it take to modernize a public benefits system that millions of people rely? How do government leaders improve customer experience, strengthen trust, protect sensitive data, and replace legacy systems? And how can technology help a large public agency become more responsive, more resilient, and more human-centered? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he […]

Why do performance improvements often vanish when leadership changes? What separates activity from results? And how can government leaders build systems that make improvement stick? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he speaks with John M. Bernard, author of Government That Works and founder of America’s Pulse. Listen to the podcast.

What makes us who we are? How do memory, motivation, empathy, judgment, and our sense of belonging shape the way we lead, make decisions, and connect with others? And what happens when those essential cognitive functions begin to change? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Masud Husain […]

What does leadership require when technology is advancing faster than institutions can adapt? How can government, business, and society capture the promise of generative AI while confronting its risks? And what does it take to build trust, resilience, and responsible governance in an era of exponential change? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores […]

Join host Michael Keegan as he outlines critical insights on leadership, disruption, and transformation. He brings together two remarkable thought leaders who offer strategies on how to navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and drive transformation in an era where disruption is accelerating. From his interviews with Terence Mauri and Scott Anthony, he explores the mindsets, strategies, […]

What does a new model of leadership look like in this moment? How do leaders stay grounded when the environment is anything but? What does it take to move from trying to control outcomes to creating the conditions for something new to emerge? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more […]

What does it take to bring artificial intelligence into state child welfare systems? How do you modernize legacy systems…without losing the human judgment at the heart of child welfare? And what happens when you combine data, product thinking, and human-centered design to rethink how government delivers services? Join host Michael J. Keegan and his guest […]

What if the biggest leadership challenge today isn’t strategy, talent, or even technology? What if it’s uncertainty. Why are traditional leadership models breaking down? What is the difference between leading with authority and leading with trust? Why, in today’s environment, is leadership less about control and more about courage. Join host Michael J.Keegan as he […]

What does it take to lead one of the largest and most complex service organizations in the federal government? What are the VA’s most urgent priorities? How is VA reducing its claims backlog? What will it take to get electronic health record modernization right? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and […]

What would it take to redesign it for outcomes, not just compliance? How is Tennessee leveraging data, digital tools, and emerging technologies like AI to transform the delivery of human services? What can we learn from the new book, Our Net Has Holes In It? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions […]

How do great leaders drive innovation at scale? What are the ABCs of leading innovation? How can government executives navigate AI governance, interagency modernization, and cross-sector partnerships? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Jason Wild, co-author of the book Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation at […]

What are the strategic priorities the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)? How is OPM working to modernize the U.S. federal HR systems? What is it doing to streamline hiring, shift to a skills-based talent management, and what will it take to build the workforce of the future? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he […]

What is the “science of leadership”? Why is it important to distinguish between self-oriented, other-oriented, and system-oriented leadership? How should leaders navigate modern challenges such as the rise of AI or economic uncertainty? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Margaret Moore, co-author of THE SCIENCE OF LEADERSHIP: Nine […]

How do we govern in a world where technology is no longer evolving in steps… but exploding exponentially? How do we harness their upside while managing their risks? How do we lead in a world where innovation moves at the speed of light, but trust and institutions move more slowly? Join host Michael J. Keegan […]

What exactly is strategic foresight? And how can it be effectively integrated into planning and management to help organizations think, act, and learn more strategically? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Prof. Bert George, author of the IBM Center report Embedding Strategic Foresight into Strategic Planning and Management: […]

What does an “AI-ready culture” look like in city government? What are the common cultural barriers to AI adoption? How does AI create efficiencies in city operations? How should local government leaders evaluate AI vendors and their promises? How do you ensure accountability when AI systems are involved in public safety or other critical city […]

What are the most common misconceptions about disruption, and why does getting the definition right matter for government leaders? How can leaders distinguish between genuine failures and innovations that are simply ahead of their time? What are the societal downsides of disruption that leaders need to actively manage. Join host Michael J. Keegan as he […]

What if the real question isn’t whether government is working hard—but whether it is actually improving people’s lives? How can leaders move their organizations toward sustained improvement? Why are results-driven reforms are so fragile—and what makes them endure? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with John M. Bernard, author […]

What does an AI-enabled government look like? How is AI already transforming government operations today? How should government agencies measure real progress, and when is rapid leapfrogging beneficial vs. risky? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions with Faisal Hoque and Erik Nelson co-authors with Tom Davenport of Reimagining Government: Achieving the […]

Gene Dodaro joins host Michael J. Keegan on The Business of Government Hour for a conversation reflecting on his public service journey, the accomplishments that shaped GAO’s modern identity, and the challenges that lie ahead for the US federal government. He offers insights on the persistent vulnerabilities still facing government, the importance of public sector […]

What are the key qualities of an effective leader? What does it mean to lead in difficult and uncertain times? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with a select group of recognized thought leaders: Jacqueline Carter, Michael Canic, Chester Elton, and Bob Rosen. Listen to the podcast.

What are group dynamics—and why do they matter for leaders? How can understanding them help build stronger, more effective teams? And what are the practical strategies leaders can use to unlock the full potential of their groups? Join host Michael J. Keegan as I he explores these questions and more with, Colin M. Fisher author […]

What are the key strategic priorities for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)? How is DOT putting safety and modernization first across all modes of transportation from road to Air Traffic Control? What does the future hold for the U.S. Department of Transportation? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more […]