Robert Govers
What’s an interesting project or issue you’re currently working on?
Most of my work is about how cities, regions and countries build reputation.
If you could have coffee or a beer with any famous person, who would it be and why?
Fame is one thing. What you do with it another. Hence, I would prefer to meet one of the big philanthropists (Gates, Bloomberg, Soros,…) to convince them to fund some of the projects that I contribute to as a volunteer, such as the Good Country Index.
What was the first cassette tape/CD/download that you ever purchased?
Message in a Bottle (the single) by The Police
What job on your resume or LinkedIn was most formative for you? Why?
During my time as Project Manager Contract Research, Rotterdam School of Management (Oct 1996 – Oct 1999) I learned fast, deep and wide thanks to my coach, mentor and friend professor Frank M. Go (who sadly passed away in 2017).
(Complete this sentence) The one thing that I think is missing from local government is….
imaginative leadership.
What’s one question we should have asked you? What is the answer? What’s the one thing you’re hoping to get from joining ELGL?
Which book has had most impact on your career? For me that is Anderson’s (1983) Imagined Communities.