The Federal Government continues to implement enterprise systems (information and communication technology solutions) as part of reinvention and business transformation. Enterprise system implementations are complex, costly, and often under achieving endeavors requiring that effective public leaders engage and influence the sociotechnical projects to attain expected results. Understanding and applying salient public leadership competencies could result in more efficient and economic implementations of future Federal Government enterprise solutions. The qualitative, phenomenological study used a modified van Kaam method (Creswell, 2007; Moustakas, 1994) and purposive sampling to explore the lived experiences of 21 public leaders at four federal departments. Data analysis of digitally recorded interviews revealed seven interrelated themes of significance for public leaders shaping enterprise solutions and concomitant change. The underlying conclusion is the application of a full array of leadership competencies matters for successful assimilation of public enterprise systems: project management, organizational change, and effective communication among the more prominent aspects. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]