Format of the Book.
A fictionalized character, Brian is typical of a person assuming a high-level government job with important responsibilities.
Brian attended Boston University on a partial academic scholarship. After graduation, he worked for five years with a startup computer company in Lexington, Massachusetts, along the high tech corridor known as Route 128. After marrying, he started a small company in the suburbs of Washington, D.C selling software services to the federal government under Small Business Administration set-aside programs.
For 12 years, he donated modest amounts of money to each political party, attended professional meetings, and danced at black tie charity events. He paid his dues.
Brian provided a good middle class life for his wife and two children. While he did not make a lot of money, he made enough. Eventually however, he tired of the constant hustle required to keep revenue flowing to his small business. Since he wanted more intellectually challenging work, he began dropping hints that he might accept a job in the federal government.
Because of his contributions to the party in power, his name recognition, and his experience running a small technology business, the White House offered him a senior job in the government to manage an important priority.
Brian learned that the lifetime budget for this system would be $2 billion, ensuring a highly visible position with excellent possibilities for future high-income jobs outside of government.
Like many before him and countless others yet to come, Fernando has scores of questions about working in the federal government. His questions are the same as political appointees, senior executive service officials, and GS-15’s have, or should have, as they consider how to move up, into, and perform in senior positions.
Therefore, he seeks a mentor and finds one, the author, and in 40 chapters, he asks questions about performing in a high-level job; and his new mentor responds with examples,statistics, anecdotes, and advice.