Excerpt from “The Accidental Executive: Finding Purpose in Public Service” Chapter 12: A Full Circle of Purpose

Looking back over fifty years to that summer I spent as a GS-1 clerk at Scott Air Force Base, I can now answer the question I asked back then: “Was being ‘good enough for government work’ going to be good enough for me?” It’s a question that has echoed through the decades, a constant reminder of the low bar often assumed by those who misunderstand the true meaning of public service. But it was more than just a question about a career; it was a question about my values.

Here’s what I’ve learned over these years: Public service is not about “good enough.” It’s about doing work that matters, work that has the potential to affect the lives of others in meaningful ways. It’s about working toward a mission greater than yourself. The “good enough” cliché was a misrepresentation of the dedication and perseverance I witnessed throughout my career. The standard I saw was high, because that was the standard our citizens and veterans deserved and the standard I set for myself.

It was never about being perfect or extraordinary. It was about making a difference, even a small difference, where and when it mattered. It was about striving to create positive outcomes, even when the road was difficult. And it was about knowing that my efforts contributed to something beyond myself—a mission that gave my career meaning and my life purpose.

And that, I can say without hesitation, is where I found purpose in public service.