Presidential Staff Flashcards
What are the three management structures?
Pyramid
Circular (Hub and Spoke)
Ad Hoc
What is the pyramid structure like?
Different levels of the staff, higher ups being closer to president. Information has to go through all levels of pyramid.
What is the advantage of the pyramid structure?
Clear and easy to follow
What is the disadvantage of the pyramid structure?
Information is filtered, and chief of staff can gate-keep from president.
What is the circular/hub and spoke structure?
The president directly controls entire administration. Advisors report directly to the president
What are the advantages of the circular/hub and spoke structure?
Buck stops: all information gets to the president.
What are the disadvantages of the hub and spoke method.
Everyone overpowers each other and can’t come to consensus.
What is the ad hoc method?
Committees and task forces are empowered. Staff is more focused on specific areas.
What are advantages of the ad hoc method?
Focused policy initiative
What are the disadvantages of the ad how method?
Possibility for conflict because it bypasses cabinet and chief of staff.
What is the competitive approach for president’s in managing their staff?
Making aides compete for power, comparing aides.
What is the collegial approach for president’s in managing their staff?
Encourage colleagues to work together, to work towards common position.
What is groupthink?
The disadvantage of the collegial approach (small groups discourage common ground)
What is the hierarchal approach for presidents in managing their staff?
Tight control over who makes what decisions. Have gatekeepers monitor flow of information.
What are political officers vs. policy officers?
Political officers- Help president run for re-election, control party, and shape president image.
Policy officers- shape president’s foreign and domestic program. Also collect information and write legislation.
