Eric Hirschhorn, undersecretary for industry and security at the Department of Commerce, was recently named a fellow by the National Academy of Public Administration.

How will you use your NAPA fellowship to promote/influence good government?

In the same way that it can difficult for an individual to have an objective view of himself, it can be difficult for an agency to examine its own strengths and shortcomings. Neutral, detached entities such as NAPA, whose fellows have broad experience in government, can provide a helpful outside perspective.

What¹s the best management-related advice you ever received?

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that’s the most valuable.” Put differently, a good manager is open to hearing that there might be a better path than the one she envisages as best.

What do you think is the most important change the government needs to make in the next 5 years?

The executive branch should further seek to increase its operational efficiency to ensure that programs are able to fully achieve their goals. We have made significant progress in recent years, but I hope that the executive branch and Congress, with help from entities such as NAPA, can make further progress toward this end in the coming years.

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