The Business of Government Hour features a conversation about management with a government executive who is changing the way government does business.
IBM Center for The Business of Government

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 leadership lessons can be gained from 33 years of federal services? What are the biggest barriers to building a more citizen-centric federal government? What must we do to better prepare future public leaders—both political and career—for the complexity of governing? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dave […]

What is the mission of the Council of State Governments? How does this organization champion excellence in state government? And What are some of its flagship programs and initiatives? Join hosted host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with David Adkins, Executive Director, Council of State Governments on this Special Edition […]

What is the mission of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the US & Canada? How does it contribute to improved government finance and management? What are some of GFOA’s flagship programs and initiatives? Join hosted host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Chris Morrill, Executive Director Government Finance […]

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 […]

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 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: […]

How does the “Question to Learn” challenge a fundamental assumption many hold—that they’re already asking good questions? How can curiosity transform your career, team, and organization? What role do questions—specifically questions to learn—play in driving innovation within bureaucratic systems? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Joe Lalley, author Question […]

How can public administrators embrace the promise of AI and emerging tech as enablers without being dominated by them? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores this question and more with practitioners and academics on a Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour. Listen to the podcast.

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 […]

How can the U.S. federal government rebuild its digital capabilities and truly transform how government does business? What is the difference between learning while doing and learning by doing? How can government agencies become more adaptive and thrive on disruption. Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with thought leaders interviewed […]

How is Generative AI (GenAI) altering how we work? What can federal agencies leaders do to strategically integrating GenAI into their workforce planning? How can GenAI serve as a collaborative partner, enhancing human capabilities and driving efficiency without displacing the critical human judgment? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more […]

How can strategic foresight sharpen decision-making when stakes are high? What common barriers prevent government organizations from adopting a foresight-driven approach to preparedness? What does true resiliency look like for a government organization? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with my guests, Donna Dupont, an award-winning designer and futurist […]

What is the mission of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency? What are the key operational priorities for NGA? How is NGA delivering timely and actionable GEOINT to decision-makers? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Rear Admiral Michael L. Baker Associate Director for Operations at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency […]

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 is conflict resilience? How can we find the skills to grow from disagreement. How can you handle disagreements and differences with integrity while finding a way to create strong, deep, and lasting relationships? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Robert Bordone and Dr. Joel Salinas M.D. authors of […]

Join host Michael Keegan on The Business of Government Hour for an exclusive interview with Bill Tinston, Director of the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Office (FEHRM). Discover the FEHRM's mission to implement a single, common Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR), how it tackles this ambitious goal, and the key challenges it faces in transforming […]

Tune in to The Business of Government Hour this week for an exclusive interview with Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer, NATO’s Chief Information Officer. Discover how NATO is shaping its IT strategy, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost operational effectiveness, and securing its tech infrastructure against modern threats. Join host Michael J. Keegan for a deep dive into the […]

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 […]

From the State of GovTech 2025, a hallmark event hosted by CivStart, join host Michael J. Keegan as he shares insights and stories of a host of thought leaders, tech entrepreneurs and government executives. This episode is dedicated to telling the stories of local government leaders who in their own way are leveraging technology and […]

This episode is dedicated to telling the stories of local government leaders who in their own way are leveraging technology and innovation to change the way they govern and the way they deliver the mission of government. Join host Michael J. Keegan from the State of GovTech 2025, a hallmark event hosted by CivStart, a […]

How are innovative startup solutions reshaping local government services? What drives the collaboration between startups, tech leaders, and public sector executives? Where is government technology headed next? Join host Michael J. Keegan for a special edition of The Business of Government Hour from the State of GovTech 2025 event hosted by CivStart. Listen to the […]

There's no question artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping the world as we know it — so how can we properly prepare ourselves for the unprecedented changes that lie ahead? What does it mean to be human in the age of AI? What are the OPEN and CARE frameworks, and how can they be applied […]

What is the The PinLeader Path? How can the frameworks in The PinLeader Path help leaders communicate their vision and build trust across these groups? What strategies can government agencies use to identify and nurture future leaders. Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Shanda Gore author The […]

What is the IT strategy for the State of Connecticut? How is the State of Connecticut securing its IT systems and infrastructure? What emerging technologies or trends will impact Connecticut's IT landscape over the coming years? Join host Michael J. Keegan for a Special Edition of The Business of Government as he explores these questions […]

What is the IT strategy for the State of Minnesota? How is the state leveraging emerging technologies? What major IT Initiatives being pursued? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Tarek Tomes Chief Information Officer for the State of Minnesota. Listen to the podcast.

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 Metaruptions? What is anticipatory governance and how can leaders navigate unpredictability with an anticipatory approach? How does storytelling shape the future? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he welcomes back noted futurist Roger Spitz, President of the Disruptive Futures Institute and author of the thought-provoking book Disrupt With Impact on a Special Edition […]

Does technological progress make predicting the future easier? If we can't predict the future, how can we prepare for it? Why are the human gifts of curiosity and creativity more powerful tools to preparing for the future than submitting to false forecasts that disguise uncertainty as perfect and knowable data? Join host Michael Keegan as […]

How can we redesign military decision-making for the 21st Century? What are the most effective ways to adhere to military protocols while pushing transformative innovation? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more next week on The Business of Government Hour. Listen to the podcast.

How do teaching, coaching, and mentoring differ? How can leaders ensure that mentoring is a two-way street? What can leaders do to navigate the challenges of digital transformation, especially in areas like data visualization and business intelligence? Join host Michael J. Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Joe Perez author of […]

How can public administrators embrace the promise of AI and emerging tech as enablers without being dominated by them? Join host Michael J. Keegan for the ASPA Conference Series – A Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour with Dr. Sukumar Ganapati, Florida International University exploring how emerging tech can strengthen trust in government […]

How can public administrators embrace the promise of AI and emerging tech as enablers without being dominated by them? Join host Michael J. Keegan for the ASPA Conference Series – A Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour with Prof. Alan Shark, School of Policy and Government at George Mason University and Dr. Rudy […]