Solving problems takes creativity, especially in an era of diminished resources and evaporating budgets. One of the most creative people you have ever met is you – a few decades ago. Thinking like a kid can spur innovation, uncover unexpected solutions and make the most mundane work fun. “Kids are the most constructive and destructiveRead… Read more »
It’s time for us to invest in our future government leaders from the moment they join our workforce! Do you remember your first days when you became a federal employee? And do you wish you had someone to talk to or go back and maybe do something a little different? Are you just starting yourRead… Read more »
The other day I realized it is unusual for people to be told they are appreciated. The revelation came about from my offering a compliment to the person responsible for the logistics of my meetings and events. The comment was: people do not appreciate the effort required to have a perfect meeting – if itRead… Read more »
Several years back Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, started discussing the installation of a light rail transit system. Snapsort, a tech company based on that community, supported that proposal and came up with this infographic to help educate people about light rail transit. It’s a good example of how agencies can use infographics to educate the publicRead… Read more »
What led you to CfA I came to CfA after a mobile-social gaming app startup I’d helped launch had faltered. I’d previously worked in government, and while I found the work incredibly compelling, I was by then far too hooked on the dynamism of startup life to consider going back. Code for America seemed (andRead… Read more »
We spend a lot of time talking about innovation in government. In a time of budget cuts and sequestration, it is essential to improve government services and meet rising citizen expectations. In the private sector it is easy to name the innovative companies- Apply, Google, Amazon etc. But how are they actually doing it andRead… Read more »
Email changed the way we work, you simply can’t argue that fact. As a 26 year old professional, I have never worked at a company without email. Even in high school our boss sent out the weekly schedule via email. Email is ingrained in how we work. Now 10 years later, email is so muchRead… Read more »
On GovLoop Insights’ DorobekINSIDER: How exactly do you bring Silicon Valley innovation to government? Silicon Valley guru Ryan Allis gives 12 realistic tips for bringing innovation to government. Click here for the full recap. But First: Sequestration Update The Washington Post: Americans’ sequestration shrug — in two charts And if you haven’t been following theRead… Read more »
I’ve been reading a pretty good book called Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success and there’s a ton of great ideas in it. I think anyone who is involved in performance management or measuring the success of specific activities in an organization should read this. It has a lotRead… Read more »
Leaders want to influence the behaviors of followers. But what is the most effective way to do this? By asserting strength and competence, or by focusing on warmth and trustworthiness? Style matters, claim several Harvard Business Review authors, Amy Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger, in a recent article. They write: “A growing body ofRead… Read more »