Lacking a profit motive, workers in the government by and large have a different work ethic from those in private industry. When they could make one call, federal workers take a meeting. When they could find an answer on the Internet, they form a study committee. Instead of appointing one supervisor, they appoint five.

Ronald Kessler’s quote contrasts the work ethic of government workers with that of those in private industry. He points out that because government employees don’t operate with the same profit motive as those in the private sector, their approach to work tends to be slower, more bureaucratic, and less efficient. Kessler suggests that, in government, tasks that could be completed quickly and simply, such as making a phone call or searching online for information, are instead handled through cumbersome processes, like scheduling meetings or forming study committees. This implies that government work often involves more layers of red tape and less urgency or focus on results.

Kessler also critiques the organizational structure within the government, where multiple individuals or teams are often involved in tasks that could be managed by a single person in the private sector. He uses the example of appointing five supervisors instead of one to illustrate the inefficiency and tendency toward excessive bureaucracy in government operations. This observation suggests that government organizations are prone to overstaffing, inefficient decision-making, and a lack of clear accountability, which contrasts with the more streamlined, results-driven approach in private businesses.

The origin of Kessler’s quote likely stems from his broader critique of the federal government and its tendency toward inefficiency and waste. As a journalist, Kessler often examined the inner workings of government institutions, highlighting their shortcomings in comparison to the private sector. His statement reflects a common critique of public sector organizations, particularly in terms of their inability to respond to competitive pressures or to function in a way that maximizes productivity and efficiency.

In essence, Kessler’s quote suggests that the absence of a profit motive within government leads to a work culture that prioritizes process over results. He implies that this inefficiency hampers the effectiveness of the government and creates a bureaucratic environment that is disconnected from the practical needs and outcomes that drive success in the private sector.