Amazing! Time certainly has flown by, as a GovLoop Featured Blogger. But, as they say, ‘all good things must come to an end’. I will certainly miss sharing both experiences and lessons learned over decades, as well as the insightful feedback some of you have left me. Following is a series of ‘random thoughts’ coveringRead… Read more »
Confession time! I’m a canary, of sorts. No, I do not sing like one. (In fact, during school assemblies, I was told to lip-sync, for the sake of everyone present!) — Like an estimated 15% of Americans, I am highly sensitive to many common chemicals found in offices, homes, and retail establishments. – Why amRead… Read more »
Jobs! Training! Jobs! Training! Jobs! I don’t know about you, but those words have remained on front pages, home pages, TV lead stories, and in government press releases, long after the Great Recession (supposedly) ended. And, so much money and resources have been expended in this area, that you might have thought the government effortsRead… Read more »
Better To Be Prepared… Than Being Accused of Not Being Responsive To… “Shhh… ! We don’t discuss this here. Besides, it will never happen..” What am I alluding to, here? Workplace Violence. Even though we are all familiar with the phrase “going postal,” does your agency have a formal, up-to-date, policy regarding this type of situation? How aboutRead… Read more »
You not only have great communication skills, you’ve trained employees before. So training those in other agencies/organizations is really no big deal. Right? Well, I’m here to tell you that there are many pitfalls to avoid and tips for success. What makes me qualified to offer you this advice? I’ve designed dozens of training sessionsRead… Read more »
We are inundated with tales of analysts who strike ‘gold’ when they work with the vast amount of information at their disposal. Well, at the risk of bursting someone’s bubble, I want to share some cautionary tales in the hopes that you learn to avoid the various pitfalls of buying into what is tantamount toRead… Read more »
“Be careful what you wish for!” – Teachers and parents probably admonished you with that warning. But, here you are, all grown up. Working for your government and loving the whole concept of it! So, why would this vestige of days gone by be of any consequence for you? Well, because we forgot its meaning.Read… Read more »
Over the course of many decades of governmental work, as well as employment in the private sector and non-profit scene, I have witnessed first-hand and heard, second-hand, of the inherent dangers of saying something that is either unpleasant, reveals corruption, or otherwise is unpopular with the current ‘Powers-That-Be’. All of which leaves someone wondering whetherRead… Read more »
You’ve heard the adage: Perception Is Reality. Well, I’m here to tell you that it rings true outside of sci-fi and super-hero realms in the comic books. It exists in virtually every agency. Every business. And, in every relationship. Following are some common situations where this comes into play. What you need to realize andRead… Read more »
Yes, you are married to your work. And why recognizing this matters! During my first of several appearances on his show, Karl Wadensten, LEAN management expert, owner of Vibco in RI, and former host of The LEAN Nation radio talk show, quickly saw the benefits to thinking of the employer-employee relationship as a marriage.Read… Read more »