Presidential Management Models

<h1>Text Preview</h1> <p> <P>Political scientists have examined several models for how presidents run the White House and control their administrations. These models are helpful in understanding the daily workings of the executive branch of government.<br></P> <P>The <b>Pyramid Model</b> is based on a strict military-like chain of command that emphasizes a powerful Chief of Staff, who in most cases is highly visible and accessible to the press. In this model, the president can be viewed as sitting atop a pyramid, removed from advisors and interests below him. Under the president, the Chief of Staff runs the White House staff with a great deal of authority and acts as a clearinghouse for information and access to the president.</P> </p> <p> <P>An advantage of the Pyramid Model is that the president receives information through the Chief of Staff and is not burdened with the details of running the White House. This situation allows the president to see the big picture without becoming overwhelmed with managing the staff. Presidents Eisenhower and Reagan both used this management style successfully.<br></P> <P>The main disadvantage of the Pyramid Model is that the president may not get all of the information he might need. The Chief of Staff could neglect to or choose not to send on information to the president.<br></P> <P>A second model presidents have used is the <b>Hub-and-Spoke Model</b>, which can be visualized as a circular structure. Based on the New Deal White House system of management, this model has the president playing a dominant role in the everyday happenings in the White House. The Chief of Staff has diminished power and importance and is usually less well known to the public than with the Pyramid Model. </P> </p> <p> <P>The Hub-and-Spoke Model demands that the president have very strong leadership skills and an eye for detail. An advantage of this model is that the president directly controls his administration. Although President Franklin Roosevelt first used this model, President Kennedy is probably the most notable of modern presidents who have used it. He was open to access by staff members without the domination of the Chief of Staff, and he was noted for reading several hundred pages of information daily, whereas Eisenhower liked "briefs and summaries" in the military style.</P> </p> <p> <P>The major disadvantage of the Hub-and-Spoke Model is that the president can loose sight of the "forest for the trees." Correspondence and information from hundreds of sources can be too much for one person to read and act upon. After trying unsuccessfully to use the Hub-and-Spoke Model, President Jimmy Carter switched to the Pyramid Model.<br></P> <P>A third White House management model is the <b>Ad Hoc Structure</b>, which combines leadership and management tactics that the CEO of a large corporation might use. President Clinton and President George W. Bush have used this style, which employs committees, task forces, and special advisors to help develop and implement policy. </P> </p> <p> <P>President Clinton demonstrated the Ad Hoc style by appointing his wife, Hilary Rodham Clinton, to head his health care initiative. He also demonstrated a propensity for this management style when he appointed Vice President Gore and an advisor, Elaine Kamarck, to spearhead his major reorganization of the federal bureaucracy. President George W. Bush's strong reliance on Vice President Cheney and his appointment of committees to study government problems indicate that the Ad Hoc Structure suits his style of management.</P> </p> <p> <P>Political scientists are developing new models to help us understanding the leadership style of recent presidents. However, most modern presidents use some aspects of all of the models. For example, during President Lyndon Johnson's push for the Great Society, the Hub and Spoke Style was very evident. As the conflict in Vietnam escalated, President Johnson's style evolved into more of a Pyramid Model. <br></P> <P>President Jimmy Carter promised an open, accessible White House and created a <b>Circular Structure</b> in which staff and advisors reported directly to the Oval Office. The Iran Hostage Crisis, however, forced President Carter to structure his West Wing in a Pyramid system, with Hamilton Jordan acting as a strong Chief of Staff. Similarly, President Clinton's second term saw a White House restructure, with the Chief of Staff playing a much stronger hierarchical role.</P> </p> <p id="TextCopyright">Copyright 2006 The Regents of the University of California and Monterey Institute for Technology and Education</p>