Hire Winners

• TIGHT SELECTION SCREENS

• PICK CHARACTER AND COMPETENCE

• HISTORY OF CONTRIBUTION

Agenda Control

• CITIZEN-DRIVEN PRIORITIES

• SET DEADLINES

• SCOREBOARD VISIBILITY

Accountability

• MEASURE RESULTS

• PAY FOR PERFORMANCE

• CONSEQUENCE SYSTEM

The Gold Standard Governance Model

Gold Standard Governance (GSG) is nonpartisan, focusing on system improvements that benefit all citizens. It's purpose is to get things done, to get significant results, but not at any cost. The system requires that all aspects of government align with the core American values of Respect, Service and Excellence. This is about getting results, not about a zero-sum argument with our neighbors.

GSG = Best Performance through Best Practices

Gold Standard: The goal is both simple and complex: any aspect of governance in America has to be the best. The people want it, deserve it, and have earned it. The goal is not to be above average or pretty good. It is to be the best governing system in the world. Some country is going to be able to claim that, why not us? Why not be number 1? In education, in healthcare, in military preparedness, in economy, in social justice. Mindset: think winning team, best in class.

To begin:

• America is not number 1 on most outcomes that people expect. The mismatch between the excellence of the American people and less-than-best government performance is not acceptable. And this disappointing malpractice is not the fault of the other party or President Whoozit: The failing is a poorly designed system of management. Endless political bickering is a sure sign of a malfunctioning system.

• The goal is to be the benchmark in every department, at every level of government. We are in pursuit of being the Gold Standard for our country and an example of the future to the world.

• Improving the system requires measuring up to benchmarks. Who/What/Where is the benchmark? Find them and copy them, and then improve to set the new standard.

• We're going to poke a lot of holes in the darkness so the light can come in. Nothing is to be done in the dark. Some ideas will come from reforms being pushed from upper echelons in government, but most, a majority of ideas, need to come from the people directly. That is demonstrated over and over again in high performance organizations. "Power to the People" was always a misnomer. The people have the powerful ideas—what's needed are mechanisms to let their light shine.

If this sounds impossible, it isn't, but it does reflect the common problem of lack of hope and vision.

"Think you can? Think you can't? You're right either way!"

Below-par governing has created an atmosphere of cynicism, distrust, and "the other party is the enemy" thinking. That can be overcome by making positive change. Folks can't be expected to cheer government makeover efforts but they might cheer if they see some results.

The model seeks results so that something happens beyond arguing and busyness. By drawing on best practices in institutional renewal, users can turn complex challenges into a coherent, high-performance governance model.