Building State Capability Podcast

Building State Capability at Harvard University
Building State Capability Podcast

The Building State Capability (BSC) program researches strategies and tactics to build the capability of public organizations to implement policies and programs. BSC has developed the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) approach, a process of facilitated emergence which focuses on problems (not solutions) and follows a step by step process (not a rigid plan) that allows for flexible learning and adaptation. PDIA is a learning by doing approach that helps organizations develop the capability to solve complex problems while they are actually solving such problems.

  1. Episode 5: Action (5 of 6)

    DEC 17

    Episode 5: Action (5 of 6)

    In this 6-part podcast series, Marshall Ganz walks you through the five key practices of people, power, and change. Each podcast episode provides practical strategies to learn the leadership and organizing craft. As Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government, Marshall Ganz teaches, researches, and writes on leadership, narrative, strategy and organization in social movements, civic associations, and politics. He grew up in Bakersfield, California where his father was a Rabbi and his mother, a teacher. He entered Harvard College in the fall of 1960. He left a year before graduating to volunteer with the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. He found a “calling” as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and, in the fall of 1965 joined Cesar Chavez in his effort to unionize California farm workers. During 16 years with the United Farm Workers he gained experience in union, political, and community organizing; became Director of Organizing; and was elected to the national executive board on which he served for 8 years. During the 1980s he worked with grassroots groups to develop new organizing programs and designed innovative voter mobilization strategies for local, state, and national electoral campaigns. In 1991, in order to deepen his intellectual understanding of his work, he returned to Harvard College and after a 28-year "leave of absence" completed his undergraduate degree in history and government. He was awarded an MPA by the Kennedy School in 1993 and completed his PhD in sociology in 2000. He has published in the American Journal of Sociology, American Political Science Review, American Prospect, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review and elsewhere. His newest book, Why David Sometimes Wins: Leadership, Organization and Strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement was published in 2009, earning the Michael J. Harrington Book Award of the American Political Science Association. In 2007-8 he was instrumental in design of the grassroots organization for the 2008 Obama for President campaign. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity by the Episcopal Divinity School. In association with the global Leading Change Network of organizers, researchers and educators he coaches, trains, and advises social, civic, educational, health care, and political groups on organizing, training, and leadership development around the world.

    27 min
  2. Episode 4: Strategy (4 of 6)

    DEC 5

    Episode 4: Strategy (4 of 6)

    In this 6-part podcast series, Marshall Ganz walks you through the five key practices of people, power, and change. Each podcast episode provides practical strategies to learn the leadership and organizing craft. As Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government, Marshall Ganz teaches, researches, and writes on leadership, narrative, strategy and organization in social movements, civic associations, and politics. He grew up in Bakersfield, California where his father was a Rabbi and his mother, a teacher. He entered Harvard College in the fall of 1960. He left a year before graduating to volunteer with the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. He found a “calling” as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and, in the fall of 1965 joined Cesar Chavez in his effort to unionize California farm workers. During 16 years with the United Farm Workers he gained experience in union, political, and community organizing; became Director of Organizing; and was elected to the national executive board on which he served for 8 years. During the 1980s he worked with grassroots groups to develop new organizing programs and designed innovative voter mobilization strategies for local, state, and national electoral campaigns. In 1991, in order to deepen his intellectual understanding of his work, he returned to Harvard College and after a 28-year "leave of absence" completed his undergraduate degree in history and government. He was awarded an MPA by the Kennedy School in 1993 and completed his PhD in sociology in 2000. He has published in the American Journal of Sociology, American Political Science Review, American Prospect, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review and elsewhere. His newest book, Why David Sometimes Wins: Leadership, Organization and Strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement was published in 2009, earning the Michael J. Harrington Book Award of the American Political Science Association. In 2007-8 he was instrumental in design of the grassroots organization for the 2008 Obama for President campaign. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity by the Episcopal Divinity School. In association with the global Leading Change Network of organizers, researchers and educators he coaches, trains, and advises social, civic, educational, health care, and political groups on organizing, training, and leadership development around the world.

    42 min
  3. Episode 3: Storytelling (3 of 6)

    NOV 20

    Episode 3: Storytelling (3 of 6)

    In this 6-part podcast series, Marshall Ganz walks you through the five key practices of people, power, and change. Each podcast episode provides practical strategies to learn the leadership and organizing craft. As Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government, Marshall Ganz teaches, researches, and writes on leadership, narrative, strategy and organization in social movements, civic associations, and politics. He grew up in Bakersfield, California where his father was a Rabbi and his mother, a teacher. He entered Harvard College in the fall of 1960. He left a year before graduating to volunteer with the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. He found a “calling” as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and, in the fall of 1965 joined Cesar Chavez in his effort to unionize California farm workers. During 16 years with the United Farm Workers he gained experience in union, political, and community organizing; became Director of Organizing; and was elected to the national executive board on which he served for 8 years. During the 1980s he worked with grassroots groups to develop new organizing programs and designed innovative voter mobilization strategies for local, state, and national electoral campaigns. In 1991, in order to deepen his intellectual understanding of his work, he returned to Harvard College and after a 28-year "leave of absence" completed his undergraduate degree in history and government. He was awarded an MPA by the Kennedy School in 1993 and completed his PhD in sociology in 2000. He has published in the American Journal of Sociology, American Political Science Review, American Prospect, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review and elsewhere. His newest book, Why David Sometimes Wins: Leadership, Organization and Strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement was published in 2009, earning the Michael J. Harrington Book Award of the American Political Science Association. In 2007-8 he was instrumental in design of the grassroots organization for the 2008 Obama for President campaign. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity by the Episcopal Divinity School. In association with the global Leading Change Network of organizers, researchers and educators he coaches, trains, and advises social, civic, educational, health care, and political groups on organizing, training, and leadership development around the world.

    18 min
  4. Episode 2: Building Relationships (2 of 6)

    NOV 19

    Episode 2: Building Relationships (2 of 6)

    In this 6-part podcast series, Marshall Ganz walks you through the five key practices of people, power, and change. Each podcast episode provides practical strategies to learn the leadership and organizing craft. As Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government, Marshall Ganz teaches, researches, and writes on leadership, narrative, strategy and organization in social movements, civic associations, and politics. He grew up in Bakersfield, California where his father was a Rabbi and his mother, a teacher. He entered Harvard College in the fall of 1960. He left a year before graduating to volunteer with the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. He found a “calling” as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and, in the fall of 1965 joined Cesar Chavez in his effort to unionize California farm workers. During 16 years with the United Farm Workers he gained experience in union, political, and community organizing; became Director of Organizing; and was elected to the national executive board on which he served for 8 years. During the 1980s he worked with grassroots groups to develop new organizing programs and designed innovative voter mobilization strategies for local, state, and national electoral campaigns. In 1991, in order to deepen his intellectual understanding of his work, he returned to Harvard College and after a 28-year "leave of absence" completed his undergraduate degree in history and government. He was awarded an MPA by the Kennedy School in 1993 and completed his PhD in sociology in 2000. He has published in the American Journal of Sociology, American Political Science Review, American Prospect, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review and elsewhere. His newest book, Why David Sometimes Wins: Leadership, Organization and Strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement was published in 2009, earning the Michael J. Harrington Book Award of the American Political Science Association. In 2007-8 he was instrumental in design of the grassroots organization for the 2008 Obama for President campaign. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity by the Episcopal Divinity School. In association with the global Leading Change Network of organizers, researchers and educators he coaches, trains, and advises social, civic, educational, health care, and political groups on organizing, training, and leadership development around the world.

    37 min
  5. Episode 1: Intro to Leadership and Organizing (1 of 6)

    SEP 25

    Episode 1: Intro to Leadership and Organizing (1 of 6)

    In this 6-part podcast series, Marshall Ganz walks you through the five key practices of people, power, and change. Each podcast episode provides practical strategies to learn the leadership and organizing craft. As Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at the Kennedy School of Government, Marshall Ganz teaches, researches, and writes on leadership, narrative, strategy and organization in social movements, civic associations, and politics. He grew up in Bakersfield, California where his father was a Rabbi and his mother, a teacher. He entered Harvard College in the fall of 1960. He left a year before graduating to volunteer with the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. He found a “calling” as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and, in the fall of 1965 joined Cesar Chavez in his effort to unionize California farm workers. During 16 years with the United Farm Workers he gained experience in union, political, and community organizing; became Director of Organizing; and was elected to the national executive board on which he served for 8 years. During the 1980s he worked with grassroots groups to develop new organizing programs and designed innovative voter mobilization strategies for local, state, and national electoral campaigns. In 1991, in order to deepen his intellectual understanding of his work, he returned to Harvard College and after a 28-year "leave of absence" completed his undergraduate degree in history and government. He was awarded an MPA by the Kennedy School in 1993 and completed his PhD in sociology in 2000. He has published in the American Journal of Sociology, American Political Science Review, American Prospect, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Stanford Social Innovation Review and elsewhere. His newest book, Why David Sometimes Wins: Leadership, Organization and Strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement was published in 2009, earning the Michael J. Harrington Book Award of the American Political Science Association. In 2007-8 he was instrumental in design of the grassroots organization for the 2008 Obama for President campaign. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity by the Episcopal Divinity School. In association with the global Leading Change Network of organizers, researchers and educators he coaches, trains, and advises social, civic, educational, health care, and political groups on organizing, training, and leadership development around the world.

    1h 24m
  6. A Decade of Building State Capability - Kirk Gibson

    JUL 9

    A Decade of Building State Capability - Kirk Gibson

    The “Decade of Building State Capability” podcast series features interviews with practitioners who reflect on their experience using the PDIA approach and their engagement with Building State Capability over the past 10 years. On today's episode, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews Kirk Gibson. Kirk is an international development practitioner working in the Pacific, Timor-Leste and Australia for over 15 years. He has worked on education, governance, leadership, workforce development, TVET and youth development projects for a range of NGO’s and Australian Government funded programs. He is passionate about the thinking and thinkers behind community development and about supporting locally led development. He currently works for a Papua New Guinean led organisation called The Voice Inc.

    20 min
  7. A Decade of Building State Capability - Joana Bento and Danielle Serebro

    MAY 24

    A Decade of Building State Capability - Joana Bento and Danielle Serebro

    The “Decade of Building State Capability” podcast series features interviews with practitioners who reflect on their experience using the PDIA approach and their engagement with Building State Capability over the past 10 years. On today's episode, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews Joana Bento and Danielle Serebro. Joana is a Programme Manager at CABRI leading their capacity building programmes in support of institutional capabilities across Africa. After a short time working for the European Union Delegation to South Africa, she joined CABRI in 2014, working across various subject areas. In 2018, she was leading CABRI’s work on value-for-money in public spending, supporting African countries in developing and implementing financing policies in the WASH and agriculture sectors. She also worked in CABRI’s transparency and accountability programme. She holds an MSc in Economics from Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon and an MSc in International Management from Keio University in Tokyo. Danielle is a development economist who has worked with many African governments to improve the management of their public debt, build public financial management capabilities and improve linkages between public finance and service delivery. She holds an undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town. Her postgraduate qualifications include Honours and Master’s degrees in Economic Development from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics from the University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health.

    38 min
  8. A Decade of Building State Capability - Sampath Kumar

    JAN 18

    A Decade of Building State Capability - Sampath Kumar

    The “Decade of Building State Capability” podcast series features interviews with practitioners who reflect on their experience using the PDIA approach and their engagement with Building State Capability over the past 10 years. On today's episode, BSC Director Salimah Samji interviews Sampath Kumar. Sampath is presently the Health Secretary and the Development Commissioner of the government of Meghalaya in northeast India. Over a career addressing rural poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, natural resource management, early childhood education, and healthcare, he has grown deeply familiar with both the challenges of extending public services to the poor and vulnerable, and the immense potential of last mile development. Mr. Kumar has also conceptualized the innovative State Capability Enhancement Project (SCEP) as a means of strengthening state capacity, while progressively tackling complex development challenges. The SCEP framework has now been institutionalized as the Government Innovation Lab (GIL) with the Government of Meghalaya. He is Edward S. Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and holds a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Building State Capability (BSC) program researches strategies and tactics to build the capability of public organizations to implement policies and programs. BSC has developed the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) approach, a process of facilitated emergence which focuses on problems (not solutions) and follows a step by step process (not a rigid plan) that allows for flexible learning and adaptation. PDIA is a learning by doing approach that helps organizations develop the capability to solve complex problems while they are actually solving such problems.

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