Organizational Leadership

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The Question of Succession in Al-Qaida

Two months after the death of al Qaida leader Aymin al-Zawahiri, experts continue to debate potential contenders for his replacement while waiting for al-Qaeda to make an announcement. A dark horse contender with long ties to Osama bin Laden could upend predictions and threaten to revive one of history's most lethal terrorist groups.

Sara Harmouch

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Our New CEO, Algorithmic Bias, Equity in the Workplace: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on what RAND’s new president and CEO envisions for the future, addressing bias in health care algorithms, creating equitable change in the workplace, and more.

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'The Future Could Be Brilliant': RAND's CEO Is an 'Apocaloptimist'

Jason Matheny, RAND's new president and CEO, explains why he's cautiously optimistic about the future of humanity, the importance of public service, and RAND's role in shaping policy solutions.

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What Support Do Officers Need to Perform at Their Peak?

Police1's second annual survey on “What Cops Want” shows both major strengths and substantial challenges in the profession. Law enforcement leadership can use the findings to better support and engage their officers.

Bob Harrison

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RAND's New President, the U.S. Foreign Service, Transportation Equity: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on RAND's next president and CEO, Jason Matheny, insights into Americans' views on diplomacy and diplomats, solutions for transportation equity, and more.

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A Promising Era for Women of Color in U.S. Elections, but Gains in Broader Workplace Leadership Remain Elusive

Women of color remain significantly underrepresented in workplace leadership and along the promotion pipeline in comparison to white women, as well as to black and white men. How much more work needs to be done to achieve the combination of race and gender equity in leadership?

Zara Fatima Abdurahaman

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At the Intersection of Leadership, Strategy, and Foresight

Police leaders spend considerable time developing strategic plans, but events and circumstances can evolve in unanticipated ways. To create survivable plans, leaders should assess capabilities and the environment within which they work. To do so, they should incorporate foresight to develop the adaptability necessary to thrive.

Bob Harrison

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Leadership Forum Empowers First Ladies Around the World

In many countries, the role of first lady doesn't come with a job description or even a staff. The Global First Ladies Alliance, born at the Pardee RAND Graduate School, helps first ladies lead, often with the assistance of America's own first ladies.

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The Evidence on Kids and COVID-19, China's Use of Big Data, Telemedicine: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on what we know (and what we don't) about kids and COVID-19, how China is using big data, the future of telemedicine, and more.

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Pardee RAND's Faculty Leaders Program: Shaping the Future of Public Policy

To be effective, public policy needs to reflect the aspirations, lives, and perspectives of the people it serves. The Pardee RAND Graduate School seeks to build diversity in public policy by engaging faculty leaders from U.S. colleges and universities committed to serving students of color.

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Setting Priorities for the Next DHS CIO

In its latest leadership vacancy, the Department of Homeland Security has lost its chief information officer. This position carries important statutory powers, a sizable budget, and critical responsibilities to ensure the proper functioning of the department. A new CIO will have an opportunity to continue the scaffolding necessary to forge a culture of unified purpose and unified effort for protecting the homeland.

John Bordeaux, Ryan Consaul

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The Death of Hamza bin Laden Will Hurt al Qaeda

Hamza bin Laden, the son of al Qaeda's founder and the architect of the 9/11 attacks, is reportedly dead. If true, this is more than just a symbolic loss for the terrorist organization.

Colin P. Clarke

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For Teachers, a Good Boss Makes All the Difference

Districts that try to place an effective leader in every school could reap educational benefits in the classroom. Giving a teacher a good boss also could be a powerful element in a broader strategy to recruit and retain highly effective educators.

Susan M. Gates, Laura S. Hamilton

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To Produce Strategists, Focus on Staffing Senior Leaders

To reinvigorate graduate-level professional military education, the military could carve out a unique educational niche by focusing on intense, quality staff officer education that is more relevant to understanding the demands placed on top defense leaders.

Paula G. Thornhill

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Homeland Security Should Consider Filling Vacancies at the Top Before Tackling Department Reform

Vacancies in key management positions in the Department of Homeland Security will likely present a challenge to the implementation of Trump administration government reform and reorganization proposals. Naming permanent deputies could help the administration carry out its reform plans at DHS.

Ryan Consaul

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Improving the Effectiveness of Air Force Squadron Commanders

U.S. Air Force commanders around the world understand their responsibilities. But they believe that many unrecognized duties interfere with mission performance. They are generally prepared by professional education and career progression to fulfill their responsibilities, but they could use more instruction on how to command.

John A. Ausink, Miriam Matthews

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Exploring Trust, Leadership, and 'Analytic Courage'

Leaders in business, government, academia, and philanthropy gathered at RAND's headquarters in Santa Monica to pay tribute to the seven-decade relationship between RAND and the U.S. Air Force. Panelists discussed the importance of trusted advice to inform national security descisonmaking.

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Kelly as DHS Chief Should Focus on Improving Employee Morale

Building the morale of the Department of Homeland Security workforce should be a priority of the incoming leadership team. Strong communication with career employees, team building, and demonstrating respect for work that has already been done is needed.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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A Principal Role in Education

Principals are second only to teachers as the most important school factor affecting student achievement, but their contributions are often underappreciated. They establish a vision that motivates the entire community, build a school culture that supports student learning, ensure resources are used effectively, and engage with the community.

Susan M. Gates

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What Makes a Good Leader? Ask Pope Francis, or Lady Gaga

What makes an effective state? What makes a good leader? Panelists at RAND's Politics Aside event discussed leadership, governance, and how the service part of democracies has become too politicized.

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Dr. Gill Samuels CBE Joins RAND Europe Council of Advisors

Dr. Gill Samuels CBE joined the RAND Europe Council of Advisors during its meeting in January. She is a physiologist and neuropharmacologist by training and was Director of Cardiovascular Biology at Pfizer, contributing to the discovery and development of a number of medicines.

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Pardee RAND Graduate School Elects New Board Members

The RAND Board of Trustees elected two new members to the Pardee RAND Graduate School Board of Governors this week: John Seely Brown and Robert A. Eckert.

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Solomon Joins RAND as Senior Fellow

Richard H. Solomon has joined the RAND Corporation as a senior fellow. An experienced diplomat, policy analyst, author and respected leader on international affairs, Solomon most recently was the president of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan, congressionally established organization focused on international conflict management.

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Passionate, Pragmatic, Prudent: A New RAND President and RAND at Its Best

Michael D. Rich, the new president and chief executive officer of the RAND Corporation, shares his thoughts about his new role and the future of RAND.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich

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How Whistleblower Rule Enables Corporate Compliance

The kerfuffle over Dodd-Frank conceals broad agreement that corporate fraud and misconduct are bad and that internal compliance mechanisms are intended to protect companies as well the community at large from bad behavior, write Michael Greenberg and Donna Boehme.

Michael D. Greenberg, Donna C. Boehme

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Medical Leadership in an Increasingly Complex World

It is time for physicians to think beyond making their institution, practice, or professional society better. The population needs, and deserves, such leadership, writes Robert H. Brook.

Robert H. Brook

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Oval Office Overhaul

It is time to rethink the structure of the executive branch. A comprehensive reorganization along the lines suggested by the National Commission on Public Service, led by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, could improve the U.S. government's problem-solving capability, write Elizabeth D. Brown and John D. Graham.

Elizabeth D. Brown, John D. Graham

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Police Personnel Crisis Needs Federal Leadership

Published commentary by RAND staff: Police Personnel Crisis Needs Federal Leadership, in Washingtonpost.com.

Jeremy M. Wilson

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Creating a World Center for Scientist-Explorers

Published commentary by RAND staff

Lee Huntsman, Kenneth Shine, et al.