Business has a single measure of success: Profits. But a city or state has dozens of critical measures and so managing government is complex work. The Chief Operating Officer is emerging as a key new role focused on efficient and effective government. The notion that 30-60 agency heads all report to the governor or mayor is absurd.

Michael J. Jordan pioneered the state COO role in Oregon, and he clearly articulates the role and why it is so different that the Chief of Staff -- and so essential.