Regardless of Who Wins the White House, Government Organizations Must Focus on 3 Key Principles.
Recently, some friends and former colleagues suggested I consider shifting my focus away from vulnerable communities and climate resilience to prevent my firm from being labeled as "progressive", considering the current political environment. But, I believe now, more than ever, is the time for government and public institutions to double down on three fundamental principles—impact, equity, and connection.
1. Put Impact at the Core
Allocating funds or passing legislation are steps, but they are not outcomes. There is no shortage of well-intentioned policies or programs that fail making an impact. Government agencies must focus on impact, and, they have not been doing so.
To address this, we must:
Fix Government Operations:
Our government systems are increasingly bogged down by excessive regulations and bureaucratic processes. While bureaucracy is a necessary component of any functioning society, we have reached a point where the system itself impedes public interest.
There’s nothing equitable or effective about spending six months and thousands of dollars in tax-funded staff salaries just to hire one person—who might decline a lowball offer, if we even get that far.
Move Away from Populist Approaches:
Populist policies may resonate in the short term, but they undermine long-term goals. And, we have embraced these policies for too long. Ambitious but unrealistic policies create significant challenges. These policies have worked well for attracting votes, but, have failed showing results.
Politicians have alternative strategies to secure votes without resorting to populist agendas, and the timing is increasingly favorable for such approaches.
Let’s look at the requirements for housing construction. These projects are required to create affordable housing, follow wage standards, meet environmental compliance, do public engagement, reduce emissions and more. The result? no construction.
Why do we see these populist approaches from both sides of the aisle? Because they cater to what people want to hear, regardless of their practicality. Politicians pass sweeping policies with impacts that the public won’t see for a decade. So, it’s safe to go with populist agendas.
As Ezra Klein discusses in his recent podcast with Gary Gerstle, populism often surges when trust in government erodes. It’s a great episode if you want to hear more about why our political discourse gravitates this way.
Focus on Impacts, Not Actions:
Don’t brag about dollar allocations, passed bills, or emission reduction targets. The real measure of success lies in the outcomes—whether we’re creating high-quality jobs, building affordable housing, reducing emissions, or making childcare more accessible.
It’s the results that matter, not the allocated dollars or passed legislations.
2. Put Equity (or whatever you call It) at the Core
Prioritizing underserved communities is essential—not just morally, but practically. This approach benefits everyone, regardless of status or wealth, by strengthening the society we all share.
Europe’s experience with recent wars in the Middle East, Syria, and Ukraine illustrates this interconnectedness. Similarly, homelessness in our cities show how ignoring one segment of society impacts the broader community. It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that vulnerable communities aren’t left behind.
Why? Here are a few reasons:
Healthier Communities, Lower Healthcare Costs: Improving access to healthcare and environmental quality in underserved communities reduces preventable diseases. A healthier population eases the burden on the healthcare system, benefiting everyone.
Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction: Investing in job training, education, and economic opportunities for underserved areas can break cycles of poverty, creating a productive workforce that contributes to economic growth and tax revenue.
Stronger Social Cohesion: Addressing disparities in underserved areas reduces social tensions and fosters a more inclusive society, where all communities feel valued and invested in the future.
Workforce Development for Emerging Industries: Providing education and training in underserved areas prepares workers for roles in renewable energy, technology, and other high-growth sectors, driving innovation and economic resilience.
Reduced Crime and Increased Safety: Economic investment and social support address the root causes of crime, like poverty and lack of opportunity, resulting in safer, more stable communities.
Increased Trust in Institutions: Prioritizing underserved communities reinforces a commitment to equality, building trust in institutions and creating a society where everyone has a chance to thrive.
3. Put Connection and Trust at the Core
For government programs to really work, they should connect with people they serve. Currently, one of the biggest gaps in government is not just in policy but in how it communicates with the public.
Many important policies get buried in confusing or vague language, making it hard for people to see how these efforts actually affect their lives. Strong communication, centered on clear storytelling, is key to building trust. while everyone talks about this, we still don’t see it happening.
Take the Biden-Harris administration, for instance. They’ve introduced major industrial policies aimed at bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., boosting clean energy, and cutting carbon emissions, with over $2 trillion in support. Yet, across the political spectrum, many people still don’t fully understand what these policies are, what their goals are, or how they might directly benefit from. And now we see how these initiatives are misunderstood or undervalued.
Look at the award page for the EPA’s Clean Ports Program. While this page represents a great improvement in communication compared to similar efforts, it still does not connect with people. The press release on this program happened while the Biden-Harris administration is spending hundreds of millions of campaign dollars to convince voters. Translating the ideas behind this great program would not cost much. The program page still doesn’t connect with the public— those who need reliable healthcare, higher-paying jobs, or affordable education for their kids.
To build genuine public support, the government needs to make these policies more relatable by framing them around the issues that matter most to people’s everyday lives.
It’s time for our government agencies and their partners to evaluate their performance, and understand what works and does not work. To understand why we have got to where we are!
Regardless of the election outcome, Democrats must advocate for a government that leverages bureaucracy effectively—one that prioritizes results over mere actions, and substance over populist legislation.
Wherever you stand politically, please vote. It’s one of our superpowers as citizens in a democracy. Let’s not lose it. Don’t take it for granted. Without your vote, it’s very well possible to loose it.
The Triangle supports organizations move from actions to implementation by designing climate resilience programs that work. We review climate initiatives to identify what’s working and what isn’t, offering solutions to maximize impact.
