GovTech: In Case You Missed It

Capitol Secrets With Government Veteran Bill Leighty — ICYMI

Veteran staffer and leader Bill Leighty has filled his memoir with practical lessons about how to succeed in public service, inspiring those seeking consequential careers in the public sector.

June 16, 2023 • 
Joe Morris
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Capitol Secrets with Bill Leighty
Following a four-year stint in the Marine Corps, Bill Leighty earned his Master of Business Administration and went to work for the Virginia Department of Taxation. Such a seemingly routine beginning gave little hint of the eventful public-sector career that was to follow — a career which included serving as chief of staff to two governors, completing a performance review for the U.N. and advising the government of Scotland, not to mention having drinks with Sean Connery, giving Tom Hanks a midnight tour of Virginia's Capitol building and being granted a private audience with the queen of England.

Currently a senior fellow with the Center for Digital Government*, Bill has collected his memoirs into a book entitled Capitol Secrets, which not only includes entertaining stories but also practical lessons for succeeding in public service.

While many people would likely point to meeting the queen, having a beer with Clint Eastwood or dinner with Bill Gates as career highlights, after completing his book Leighty's most notable career reflection was that he was able to work with remarkable people over the years — the "rank and file" who went to work every single day to pursue the noble purpose of serving others in government.

On this episode of ICYMI, Bill talks to Joe Morris about his passion for performance management, using technology to improve services, fostering a culture of productivity, opportunities that remote work continue to provide for people with disabilities and the need to carefully cultivate a social and professional network built on trust and openness.



“In Case You Missed It” is Government Technology’s weekly news roundup and interview live show featuring e.Republic* Chief Innovation Officer Dustin Haisler and Deputy Chief Innovation Officer Joe Morris as they bring their analysis and insight to the week’s most important stories in state and local government.

Follow along live Fridays at 12 p.m. PST on LinkedIn and YouTube.

*e.Republic is Government Technology’s parent company. The Center for Digital Government is part of e.Republic.
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Joe Morris
Joseph Morris is the chief innovation officer of Government Technology’s parent company e.Republic and a national keynote speaker on issues, trends and drivers impacting state and local government and education. He has authored publications and reports on funding streams, technology investment areas and public-sector priorities, and has led roundtables, projects and initiatives focused on issues within the public sector. Joe has conducted state and local government research with e.Republic since 2007 and knows the ins and outs of government on all levels. He received his Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations from the California State University, Sacramento.
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