The Leadership Lifecycle

Abstract

This was the synopsis of the idea behind govWorks, portrayed in the documentary movie, Startup.com, which captured the era of the internet boom and bust in its portrayal of the rapid rise and fall of govWorks. govWorks was conceived to provide a valuable service to consumers, and local governments, by facilitating the often irritating transactions between them; transactions totaling over $600 billion annually. Founded in May 1999, Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman, friends since their high school days, rapidly built the organization and launched an internet portal to allow their vision of easy interaction with government. However, shortly after launch the rapid growth of the organization and difficulties scaling the business sent govWorks on a downward spiral and forced the sale of the business assets to eONE Global on January 1, 2001, a mere 18 months after the founding of the company.

We are all endowed with certain inalienable rights …

You have the right to apply for a fishing license … from your home … at 3.15 in the morning.

You have the right to not miss an entire workday … just to renew a driver’s license.

You have the right to attend a town meeting … in your underwear.¹