CHARLES BROOKS: NAVIGATING THE FOUR PILLARS OF WASHINGTON
http://mobile.thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/washington-metro-news/217783-navigating-the-four-pillars-of-washington
Washington is an eclectic city. It is a metropolis that is thriving
economically and socially. Its architectural design is modeled after
Paris and it is certainly a city of cultural diversity and historically
interesting neighborhoods. Visually, the site of the monuments
reflecting against the panoramic backdrop of the Potomac River is
memorable for both visitors and native Washingtonians alike.
It is really a city like no other city in America. Although it may be
geographically small, Washington serves as the engine of government, an
anchor of global financial policy and representation, a seat of
institutionalized policymaking organizations, and as a growing center
for business, especially in high tech.
When I first came to Washington, I was overwhelmed by the intensity of
life “inside the Beltway.” I was enamored with all it had to offer
(“Potomac Fever”) but uncertain how to navigate it and decipher how
things worked. Looking back, I would like to offer structure and
pathways for others contemplating a public service career or seeking to
accomplish tangible objectives for policy and/or business purposes in
the nation’s capital.
There are four pillars that comprise the foundation of the operational
world of Washington: government (executive, judicial and legislative
branches); commercial (business, including global financial
institutions; policy: (academia, think tanks and
associations/organizations); and media (old and new).
These pillars function both individually and collectively. They are
intertwined and to be effective, it is essential to understand their
roles and impact on what you hope to accomplish. Understanding and
gaining experience within these pillars that comprise the operational
system of Washington takes focus and time. Success can be realized by
navigating the pillars and establishing a strategy of strategic
relationship building and connecting.
Government: There has never been any doubt that government and politics
make Washington tick. Government is not only the basis for tens of
thousands of jobs in the area, but it also serves as the fulcrum for
evolving and communicating domestic and international policies.
Government is the center for laws and executive orders overseeing all
aspects of our daily life and our professions. The Pentagon,
intelligence agencies, and Department of Homeland Security are all
based in Washington because it is the epicenter of power and
decision-making. Government in Washington is by design structured as a
system of check and balances. An understanding of how the various
branches of government function is essential to influencing any
regulatory outcome whether it be energy, healthcare or a national
security issue. Working on Capitol Hill is invaluable experience and
connects to all the pillars and is a special pedigree for mobility in
one’s career.
Commercial: Although it is not a financial center like New York,
Washington has been transforming over the years as a commercial hub.
The World Bank, Federal Reserve, International Financial Corporation
and the Chamber of Commerce are some of the organizations headquartered
in the city. Many corporations have also relocated to the area to be
near the action and position themselves for government and commercial
opportunities. Both Virginia and Maryland have established high-tech
corridors close to the city for those reasons. The international
community with their embassies and trade groups increasingly see
Washington as a growing center for commerce.
Policy: It is not only the pillars of business and government that are
cogs in the machine. Policy organizations (such as the Center for
Strategic and International Studies, the Brookings Institution, the
Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute and the Aspen
Institute) that provide issue expertise, training and solutions are
really the enabling fuel. A myriad of think tanks offer the latest
insights in domestic and global events on a regular basis. Top local
universities (such as Johns Hopkins’s School of Advanced International
Studies, George Washington, Georgetown, American, George Mason, and
Maryland), also promote dialogue and informed decision-making and
access. The over 6,000 associations and organization with issue
specific interests regularly outreach to key decision–makers who are
part of the public and private sector pillars. Strategic communications
and thought leadership are integral tools for persuasion.
Media: The media are disseminators of information, with the duty to
circumspect the activities of the other three pillars. The media’s role
is a fundamental one; any system of democratic government cannot
operate without transparency and oversight. In Washington, most of the
country’s key media outlets have representation. Outside traditional
old media, new media has become a force to consider. Most citizens have
constant access and the metrics of public opinion are constantly
pulsed. Corporate executives and government leaders use the social
media, especially LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter as part of their work
environments. Government 2.0 and Business 2.0 are becoming the norms.
Working in one or all of the pillars is helpful in terms of building
issue expertise, contacts and gaining a holistic perspective of how
Washington really works. This experience can provide the tactical
knowledge to advance your marketing efforts and/or cause in the
public/private world. There is no substitute for experience and for
building a personal network to be empowered and effective. To be
successful, you have to always keep abreast of the latest trends and be
visible and helpful to your customer. In the Washington arena, you also
have to develop the qualities for resilience and persistence as no one
is always on the winning side of issues and contracts.
Washington will always have its image challenges and be an enigma as to
how it functions, especially to those who have never experienced life
inside the Beltway. Exploring and experiencing the four pillars will
bring an understanding of how to navigate a path to success for those
who come to this amazing city to make a difference and leave a positive
legacy.
Brooks serves as vice president/client executive for DHS at Xerox. He
served in government at the DHS as the first director of legislative
affairs for the science & technology directorate. He also spent six
years on Capitol Hill as a senior adviser to the late Sen. Arlen
Specter (R-Pa.) and was adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins
University where he taught homeland security and Congress. Brooks has
an M.A. in international relations from the University of Chicago and a
B.A. in political science from DePauw University. He is widely
published on the subjects of innovation, public/private partnerships,
emerging technologies and issues of cybersecurity. He can be followed
on Twitter @ChuckDBrooks.
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