Recent articles by Robert J. O'Neill Jr. from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483867 Robert J. O'Neill Jr. is executive director of the International City/County Management Association. Public Services and the Limits of Specialization http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-public-services-multi-sector-disciplinary-intergovernmental-management.html The challenges facing today's governments require a management approach that cuts across disciplines and departments. Local Government in an Era of Creative Destruction http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-local-government-creative-destruction-challenges-leadership.html The challenges that lie ahead can be expected to produce plenty of innovation, but they will test the leadership capacity of elected and appointed officials. Is It Time for a Set of 'Localist Papers'? http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-localist-papers-federalist-local-government-21st-century-challenges.html In the Federalist Papers, the Founders articulated their goals for a new system of government. Today's local governments need something similar to be ready to deal with the challenges they face. Making Citizens Part of Government http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-cities-making-citizens-part-of-government.html Local governments are leading the way in engaging the public in decision-making. More and more, technology is the key. The Coming Decade of Local Government http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-coming-decade-local-government-citizen-trust.html Our cities and counties enjoy the highest level of citizen trust of any level of government. That’s why they will lead the way despite the fiscal challenges to come. A Decade of Living Dangerously http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-decade-fiscal-challenge-local-government-innovation-creativity.html The fiscal challenges facing local governments won't go away soon. Here's why that's a good thing. A New Model for Management http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/A-New-Model-for-Management.html Today’s most effective leaders are very different from the public administrators of the past. The challenges have changed, and the old rules no longer apply. A New Alliance for Innovation http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/A-New-Alliance-for.html State and local governments invest only a fraction of what the private sector does in research and development. To make up for that lack of investment, states and localities need a new approach to research, innovation, and the development of best practices. A New Model for Disaster Response http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/A-New-Model-for.html It is time to move away from a "command and control" approach to a disaster-assistance system that relies instead on a network of partnerships. A Roadmap to Measuring Performance http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/A-Roadmap-to-Measuring.html Since 1994, the Center for Performance Measurement, created by ICMA, has helped participating jurisdictions improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their public services through the collection, analysis and application of performance information. Baseball and the Limits of Conventional Wisdom http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Baseball-and-the-Limits.html Does the latest management trend -- evidence-based management -- complement or confuse our current management practices? Excelling in Times of Fiscal Distress http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Excelling-in-Times-of.html There are no miracle cures. The key is focusing on the strategic big picture. Fueling the New Creative Economy http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Fueling-the-New-Creative.html Robert O'Neill identifies eight insights learned from communities that have, or hope to, build diversified, successful economies. Trust, Leadership, and Courage: Keys to Local Innovation http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Trust-Leadership-and-Courage.html The federal government's long-range financial projections demand that local and regional governments create innovative ways to address challenges and opportunities. Looking Out for Tomorrow's Public Servants http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Looking-Out-for-Tomorrows.html Identifying creative approaches is imperative to attract and develop a cadre of skilled, committed, and trained individuals to serve in state and local government.