Becoming a consummate public servant.(The Bookshelf)(Book Review)

The new context and character of public service--defined by shifting values, entrepreneurship, information technology, and multisector careers--require enhanced technical, ethical, and leadership competencies. This is the conclusion of authors James Bowman, Jonathan West, Evan Berman, and Montgomery Van Wart in their new book entitled The Professional Edge: Competencies in Public Service. While most people continue to think of public service solely in terms of government work, it now involves work with nonprofit organizations and private firms. As such, the three key competencies must be manifest in each sector of the economy.

The authors break down public service competencies into three categories: the technical professional (developing expertise), the ethical professional (cultivating morals), and the consummate professional (creating leadership). Those individuals who are already engaged in public service careers, as well as those seeking such a career, cannot hope to succeed with just one or two of these key competencies; they must possess all three to be fully prepared to handle the challenges and decisions they will face in their careers. The authors contend that citizens are best served by public servants who have these skills in rich abundance. However, the mere possession of the necessary skill sets does not fully capture the essence of public service, which must also include an abiding commitment to making a difference in the lives of citizens, upholding democratic values, and demonstrating compassion in the service to others.

The authors explain that while many public managers do a good job of promoting key competencies, they often neglect to fully develop them in themselves and their employees. True professionals are responsible to themselves, their agencies, and their employees. Consequently, both current and prospective public servants must do all they can to prepare for the challenges of the new public service. The stated goal of this book is to encourage reflection on the nature of public service professionalism as the new century unfolds. According to the authors, there is no time like the present to aspire to higher standards; if those who read the book gain a renewed desire to hone their professional edge, then their objectives will have been satisfied.

In the first chapter, "Public Service Today: Complex, Contradictory, Competitive," the authors briefly review the transition from the "old" public service (traditional bureaucracy) to the "new" public service (multisectored activities featuring short-term jobs and dynamic network-like structures). The next three chapters scrutinize what it means to be a true public servant. Chapter 2, "The Technical Professional: Developing Expertise," probes the faculties needed and links these with performance management, human resource administration, and information technology skills. Chapter 3, "The Ethical Professional: Cultivating Scruples," investigates values, professional moral development, decision-making tools, and organizational integrity. Chapter 4. "The Consummate Professional: Creating Leadership," focuses on assessment and goal setting, personal characteristics and behaviors, evaluation, and how specialized knowledge and ethical bearing are integral to effective leadership.

The authors close The Professional Edge by explaining that public service, with its historic past, demanding present, and challenging future, offers both hope and concern. They contend that demographic, economic, and political trends will not have as significant an influence on the status of the public service as the culmination of day-to-day decisions in public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms. If those decisions are to serve the collective interest, they must reflect high degrees of responsiveness, accountability, and professionalism. Such decisions, even if they turn out to be misguided, are more likely to serve society's ideals than those made without transparency and respect for the common good.

In sum, this book offers instructive lessons on which skills and competencies public' servants must possess to be successful. The authors' conclusions deserve the attention of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and even private firms. The authors do a nice job of articulating the current and future implications of the actions of today's public servants. The book is particularly well suited for undergraduate and graduate students interested in public service, but it is also a thought-provoking text for those already working in the field.

MICHAEL F. COMPTON is a policy intern in GFOA's Research and Consulting Center in Chicago.

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