Why do we use performance appraisals? It seems when we use these appraisals we are knocking “hard workers” down to nothing, kind of like a form of bullying to power play. If you don’t like that employee or if the employee had to testify against upper management, they can use your appraisals against you –Read… Read more »
I found this interview from a Mindfulness Group in Linkedinhttp://blogs.psychcentral.com/mindfulness/2012/11/working-with-mindfulness-an-interview-with-mirabai-bush/?goback=%2Egde_2042793_member_181354768I am noticing an increase in mindful awareness groups, discussions, and blogs in the social media outlets. Is anyone seeing mindfulness practices in the workplace? Do you think it would be beneficial if you did?
This week (as part of my official duties) I had the opportunity to sit in on a meeting for the Senate Committee on Human Rights. It was an incredibly rich experience, and an opportunity that I would encourage you to take advantage should it cross your plate. It was interesting for a couple of reasons,Read… Read more »
In the tech world, weekends spent at “Hackathons” or “Mobile App Challenges” are becoming more and more common. And the public sector is starting to catch on. These challenges are exciting becuase lots of real work gets done in a short amount of time. Xavier Hughes, the Chief Innovation Officer with the Department of Labor,Read… Read more »
Here is a remarkable 17 minute video of Seth Godin, giving a TEDxYouth presentation at the Brooklyn Free School riffing about the purpose of school. Some of Seth’s ideas that may be unfamiliar, but nothing doesn’t make sense, showing what happens when someone gets beyond the excuses that pass for thinking about education, focusing onRead… Read more »
Sometimes in life, it’s hard to know how you’re doing. The measurement may not be clear, people may not give you any feedback, and the goal itself may be fuzzy. However, in supervision there is one way to keep really good track of how you’re doing in the eyes of those you supervise. I learnedRead… Read more »
23-year-old Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke, Massachusetts delivered a powerful presentation at the Next Generation of Government Summit this past July. I’d like to break it down, and analyze what I think made it so effective. The speech in its entirety can be viewed here: Audience and Theme Mayor Morse is speaking at an innovativeRead… Read more »
With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast, the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) stands ready to assist civilian federal and postal employees impacted by the storm. Disaster grants of up to $500 will be available to employees in hard-hit areas experiencing verifiable hardship. Due to limited funding, FEEA will prioritize grantsRead… Read more »
One distinguishing feature of management is the constant need to communicate, particularly in front of groups. The highest, most pressured, and often most difficult form of this communication, in my opinion, is public speaking. I would like to take some time over the next few weeks delving deeper into this topic. To get us started,Read… Read more »
“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” – Benjamin Franklin Major change is coming to capitol offices and agency corridors on November 6 – and that will be true regardless of the political candidates who turn out to be the election night winners. So the real question for career government professionals is this: How do youRead… Read more »