Overview

In this pioneering book, four senior managers of the global consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton show how leaders in business, government, and civil society can reach across national and sector divisions, forming collaborative 'megacommunities' that are directed toward a common goal. The authors share the success stories of megacommunities already at work today, looking at examples that range from tackling monopolies to urban revitalization to conservation efforts. They also explain to leaders how to achieve balance between organizational differences and be able to operate optimally. What Megacommunities around the globe can achieve: IMPROVING ENERGY AVAILABILITY AROUND THE WORLD In order to tackle one of today's major problems, local companies need to be working with national energy providers, residents, government bodies, NGOS, and universities HELPING COMMUNITIES GROW In changing neighborhoods like Harlem, the megacommunity includes local small businesses, community groups, global companies, and foundations like Bill Clinton's CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT In saving the world's rainforests, providers, distributors, sellers, and consumers of lumber team up with local communities, the World Wildlife Fund, and Goldman Sachs PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS In India, a megacommunity brings together both public, private, and civil-sector organizations, including PepsiCo, the Gates Foundation, U.S. healthcare experts, UN development programs, and local NGOs

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9780230611320

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Reviews

'An optimistic handbook for creating promising frameworks for change that balance ideals with realities, the perfect with the good' -Lew McCreary, Harvard Business Review 'Megacommunities offers a comprehensive, groundbreaking approach to the challenge of global interdependence. An eminently readable and practical handbook for everyone interested in shaping a future of sustainable progress and social inclusiveness, Megacommunities deserves the widest possible audience. This is one of those rare well-reasoned books that can make a real difference in the world' -Richard D. Parsons, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Time Warner 'This book provides a much needed new perspective on leadership in a networked environment, demonstrating clearly and concisely the value of a 'leader of leaders.' This is a must-read for managers and aspiring leaders' -Fulvio Conti, Chief Executive Officer, Enel 'An insightful and engrossing read, Megacommunities brings creative new thinking to the challenges confronting leaders in our increasingly complex and interdependent world. It addresses problems head on, is full of good sense, and offers guidance that is compelling. This important book, for the strategist in particular, is hard to ignore.' - Admiral (Retired) Sir Ian Forbes, Former NATO Supreme Commander 'Megacommunities introduces us to a world of complex problems, where traditional economic and financial incentives are not sufficient, where it is impossible for all players to secure their first choice outcome. And where multiple vetoes operate and free riders abound. This world calls for creativity and imagination, the ability to build trust, form alliances and do deals. Megacommunities also provokes a rethink about how we identify and develop our political, business and civic leaders - people who can think across the boundaries of their own organizations, can communicate, can influence and be influenced, who think in terms of optimizing rather than maximizing, and who, in short, can pilot us from the selfish world of the Prisoner's Dilemma to the collaborative world of John Nash's Equilibrium' -Lord Andrew Turnbull, Former UK Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service 'Megacommunities offers a refreshing, organizational framework to help leaders solve the thorny and complex problems that devolve from technology and globalization. The book elaborates the networked strength of collaboration between business, government and civil society' -Richard H.K. Vietor, Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management, Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration 'Geocomplexity, network capital, dynamic tension, swarm intelligence - this is the language of Megacommunities. But unlike so many other books promising management miracles, these terms are not old ideas in new jargon. They outline a genuinely different framework for thinking about the world and its multiplying problems. Best of all, they become actual tools for tackling those problems. This book is a ray of hope!' - Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University

'An optimistic handbook for creating promising frameworks for change that balance ideals with realities, the perfect with the good' -Lew McCreary, Harvard Business Review 'Megacommunities offers a comprehensive, groundbreaking approach to the challenge of global interdependence. An eminently readable and practical handbook for everyone interested in shaping a future of sustainable progress and social inclusiveness, Megacommunities deserves the widest possible audience. This is one of those rare well-reasoned books that can make a real difference in the world' -Richard D. Parsons, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Time Warner 'This book provides a much needed new perspective on leadership in a networked environment, demonstrating clearly and concisely the value of a 'leader of leaders.' This is a must-read for managers and aspiring leaders' -Fulvio Conti, Chief Executive Officer, Enel 'An insightful and engrossing read, Megacommunities brings creative new thinking to the challenges confronting leaders in our increasingly complex and interdependent world. It addresses problems head on, is full of good sense, and offers guidance that is compelling. This important book, for the strategist in particular, is hard to ignore.' - Admiral (Retired) Sir Ian Forbes, Former NATO Supreme Commander 'Megacommunities introduces us to a world of complex problems, where traditional economic and financial incentives are not sufficient, where it is impossible for all players to secure their first choice outcome. And where multiple vetoes operate and free riders abound. This world calls for creativity and imagination, the ability to build trust, form alliances and do deals. Megacommunities also provokes a rethink about how we identify and develop our political, business and civic leaders - people who can think across the boundaries of their own organizations, can communicate, can influence and be influenced, who think in terms of optimizing rather than maximizing, and who, in short, can pilot us from the selfish world of the Prisoner's Dilemma to the collaborative world of John Nash's Equilibrium' -Lord Andrew Turnbull, Former UK Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service 'Megacommunities offers a refreshing, organizational framework to help leaders solve the thorny and complex problems that devolve from technology and globalization. The book elaborates the networked strength of collaboration between business, government and civil society' -Richard H.K. Vietor, Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management, Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration 'Geocomplexity, network capital, dynamic tension, swarm intelligence - this is the language of Megacommunities. But unlike so many other books promising management miracles, these terms are not old ideas in new jargon. They outline a genuinely different framework for thinking about the world and its multiplying problems. Best of all, they become actual tools for tackling those problems. This book is a ray of hope!' - Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University

Author Information

MARK GERENCSER is the Managing Director of Booz Allen Hamilton's Global Government Business; he lives in Northern Virginia, USA. REGINALD VAN LEE is a Senior Vice President in the New York office of Booz Allen Hamilton, USA. FERNANDO NAPOLITANO is the Managing Partner of Booz Allen Hamilton in Italy. CHRISTOPHER KELLY is a Vice President with Booz Allen and the leader of the Global Security practice; he lives in Washington, DC, USA.

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