Lessons from Bob Woodward: A Call for Evidence-Based Management

Check out Bob Woodward’s analysis of what the Obama Administration can learn from the Bush Administration’s errors.  His list echoes the fundamentals of evidence-based management. With all due respect to the Harvard Business School, by the way, this is not something that was or is taught to MBAs there or at most business schools.  Here is the list, which is also on my blog.

1. Presidents set the tone. Don’t be passive or tolerate virulent divisions.

2. The president must insist that everyone speak out loud in front of the others, even — or especially — when there are vehement disagreements.

3. A president must do the homework to master the fundamental ideas and concepts behind his policies.

4. Presidents need to draw people out and make sure that bad news makes it to the Oval Office.

5. Presidents need to foster a culture of skepticism and doubt.

6. Presidents get contradictory data, and they need a rigorous way to sort it out.

7. Presidents must tell the public the hard truth, even if that means delivering very bad news.

8. Righteous motives are not enough for effective policy.

9. Presidents must insist on strategic thinking.

10. The president should embrace transparency.

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