Navigating the Government-Corporate World: Moving Forward with Collaboration and Simplification - In conversation with Victoria Hildebrand
Grappling with government agencies seems scary to many people and companies, often because they aren’t sure what to expect. If you used to work for the government and understand how the systems work, you probably wouldn’t groan at, say, applying for a passport or a federal loan. In the same way, having expertise in government regulatory processes can equip an organization with the know-how of what to expect.
We’re in conversation with Victoria Hildebrand, an improvement-focused human connector with over 40 years of experience in the world of tech. A people-first business leader with a strong focus on efficiency, Victoria is an expert at using technology to drive change.
Your background in government service brings a distinctive dimension to your career as a high-level executive. Could you share how your previous government experience enables you to navigate complexities more effectively? In what ways do the insights and skills you acquired in the government realm provide you with a competitive edge in the business world?
“There isn’t a company today that doesn’t have to consider government influence and compliance. Understanding how the government operates is extremely valuable in the corporate world — what is the law or regulation, who decides that, is Congress or the administration involved? There’s a lot to consider when it comes to private companies working with the government.
“I had the incredible opportunity to be the CIO of the Federal Department of Transportation, working directly for the Secretary, where I learned a lot about government processes. Today, when issues related to regulation or compliance arise, I don’t get as concerned as my colleagues because I know the way that those processes work. I understand the timelines for different actions, and I know who to contact if we need to connect with somebody internal. Overall, having a familiarity with the inner workings of government brings a wealth of knowledge of how to work with the government, as well as a balanced understanding of what to expect from the government.
“One of the most important skills I developed working in government is collaboration. The government is built to have checks and balances in each process — in order to move anything forward in government, you must be collaborative. At one point in this role, I had to discuss something with the members of a certain committee. Each congressional committee has two representatives from each side of the aisle from the House and the same from the Senate — afterward, I was complimented for speaking to everyone on the committee, not just those who were politically aligned. I was told that it was a rarity to not take a political position but to instead take a position that puts unity and governance first.
“Finally, the other vital skill I had to learn in this position was simplification. When working on any ambitious project or initiative, there are always aspects that are vital and aspects that are ‘nice to have.’ Any company or organization, including the government, must simplify because complexity is money. You must get comfortable with learning what are crucial elements and what are elements that are nice to have but aren’t working out. The government — again, like any organization — layers processes on top of one another over the years, so you have to develop the courage to pull out the layers that aren’t working anymore.”
Thank you for sharing, Vicki.
Connect with Vicki on Linkedin.
