Differences in the Public and Private Sectors

I began my career as a High School Mathematics teacher. I worked in 3 different public high schools for a total of 4 years and then accepted an opportunity to lead a Math Tutoring center at a public community college. I worked at the community college for 5 years before leaving to the private sector. I've now been working in the private sector for 3 years and have noticed stark differences between government and private organizations. This post is only anecdotal and I haven't done much research beyond my observations, but here's what I've noticed:

Private Sector

• Performance matters more.
• People work harder.  They're doing more focused work and working longer hours
• Much greater risk of being fired. In my first year in the private sector, I saw more people fired than in 9 years combined in the public sector.
• Incentives are to save time,money, and remove inefficiencies.
• Direct and brief communication.

Government

• Incentives are to use funding or lose it.
• Poor performers are difficult to dismiss.
• More passive-aggressiveness. Less direct communication.

Reflecting back I am reminded of Charlie Munger's great quote:

"Show me the incentives and I will show you the outcome"