Guest blog by Marcio Paes Barreto, IPP ’23
As my course Implementing Public Policy (IPP) ended I recognized a familiar feeling that relates to my experience leading NOLS wilderness expeditions. At the end of those expeditions, participants often reflected on what they couldn’t bring back from the wilderness, and some felt uneasy about returning to the front country without all their newly acquired skills or peers.
We used to talk about how we couldn’t take home our large backpacks or kayaks and how they would have no application in our daily lives. We also discussed why the pizza we cooked under a tarp during a storm would not taste the same at home.
Are we facing a similar situation at the end of the IPP? Did the morning coffee you had at the HKS breakfast jolt you in the same way at the office? Did outsiders attribute similar value to the PDIA toolkit? Did the PDIA anthem get the same laughs or make sense to anyone?
As I reflect on my valuable experiences in the IPP course, I recognize that can be frustrating not fully capturing the essence of this learning and taking it back to work. So here is what I am choosing to bring home with me.
1) High performing teams can be formed with unexpected members – Successful teams can also be created with people you don’t know or didn’t choose to work with. This is challenging, and you will find yourself outside your comfort zone. However, by focusing on the problem you have in your hands, you can incrementally build trust in with your unexpected team members and be as effective as intact teams.
2) Enduring adversity and uncertainty is a team sport – It is easy to feel paralyzed when problems don’t stop growing, and entry points keep changing. It is more productive when you combine diverse minds to address problems that otherwise would overwhelm anyone working independently. It is better to embrace adversity and uncertainty by working together as a team of change agents.
3) Take small steps and avoid big plans or shortcuts – Much like the IPP course structure, rather than committing to a significant endeavor, begin with small asks, then gradually progress to more engagement and heavy work. What we have accomplished over several months is impressive. It would be overwhelming to require a commitment to that volume of work from day one. Starting small and focusing on what matters most leads to success, while big plans or shortcuts lead to distractions and no progress.
4) Adopt effective structures and use practical tools – Simple and informal organizations can be incredibly liberating. A straightforward framework is sufficient to keep most teams organized. The world is far more intricate than we often realize. Maintaining effort in adversity can prove invaluable, as builds stronger connections and meaningful progress. It is possible to tackle complex challenges without complicated systems. On the other side of complexity, there is simplicity.
5) Take risks on things you care about – This goes beyond programmatically addressing the problems you face. There are no hard and fast rules; sometimes, things go differently than planned, so be prepared to address unexpected problems. You will find a pathway forward by proactively addressing issues within your sphere of influence and solving problems you care about.
6) Take care of yourself – Prioritizing self-care is crucial, especially when facing uncertainty. Know your triggers and strive to understand what may cause you to feel overwhelmed or anxious. It is also essential to be prepared so you are not caught off balance. There is no substitute for sanity. Aim to be the best version of yourself, but give yourself some grace when you are not.
7) Take care of your team and authorizers – Implementation is about people. Keep your team in a productive zone of disequilibrium. The aliveness of your relationships with others sustains your project’s effort. Staying grounded in these fundamentals will help keep your team and stakeholders focused and on track toward shared goals.
8) Iterate and facilitate discovery and emergence – Progress can be slow when you encounter immunity to change. Continue to learn about the problem your team is trying to solve. This can uncover new solutions and approaches to overcome roadblocks. By identifying and working through your roadblocks and exploring entry points, you can also uncover patterns of behavior that hold you back. This facilitated discovery process is crucial to learning solutions to complex problems.
9) Use your north star – To persevere, keep your “why” in the horizon, and remember what got you started on this path. This north star might help you to continue moving forward even when things get tough. By staying focused on your why, you will be able to better let go things that are holding you back, and navigate the challenges that come your way more efficiently and ultimately achieve your goals.
10) Celebrate – Last, this is a marathon of sprints. The journey is long, and you might be the only ones who continue working on what matters. So take moments to appreciate the journey, celebrate your team, the progress you’ve made and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Then go back to point #1.
With the completion of this course, I also have completed my journey as a public agent. I will continue working on issues related to the accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of energy systems, but from now on, I will do it from the private sector. And with a renewed understanding of the coevolution of state and industry capabilities while addressing our society’s energy challenges.
PS: Also, consider what you should leave behind. After all, a few things about our fantastic course could be just untransferable.
Based on the NOLS briefing: Entry Into A More Harsh Environment by Morgan Hite (1989), lessons from professors Matt Andrews, Salimah Samji, and colleagues from the IPP course.
This is a blog series written by the alumni of the Implementing Public Policy Executive Education Program at the Harvard Kennedy School. 47 Participants successfully completed this 7-month hybrid program in December 2023. These are their learning journey stories.