Page 185 - The Drucker Lectures

166 [ The Drucker Lectures

government. There was a time when I did a good deal with and
for the federal government. In fact, both Mr. Truman and Mr.
Eisenhower wanted me to join their administrations in a sub-
cabinet position. I had to say “no” because I’ve known for a long
time that I don’t function in a big organization; I only do dam-
age. Altogether, all my work for the federal government and for
any other government—state or local, domestic or foreign—has
been as an advisor, as a friend, and on special assignments. And
I have never taken any pay from any government. But, above
all, my government experience, such as it is, is a long way back.
My last substantial government assignments were in the very
early Kennedy years. And so I’m quite apprehensive to speak to a
group of real experts. And I therefore ask in advance for your in-
dulgence for my ignorance. I am sure that I will say a good many
things that will appear to you experts as very naive indeed.
But being an outsider also has certain advantages. The out-
sider doesn’t know the details. And while there is truth in the
old saying that “God is in the details,” it’s also true that details
alone are treacherous. You need to see the big picture, as well—
and that the outsider often sees more clearly.
You insiders are also totally absorbed in day-to-day work on
specific projects. And, as I long ago learned, anything that de-
generates into work takes time and effort and total attention.
And then, it is very easy to forget tomorrow because today is
already overloaded. The outsider, by contrast, is free from such
nasty and disconcerting things as having to do work and having
to produce results. Unlike the insider, the outsider is not inhib-
ited by knowing all the things that cannot be done.
And I am going to talk today about things that most of you
insiders know cannot be done—even though most of you also
know that they must be done. When Vice President Gore an-
nounced the initiative to “reinvent government” a year and a half
ago, the reaction nationwide was a big yawn that, bluntly, was