By AdamElkus Are we too connected to our gadgets? Many journalists and social thinkers seem to think so. Are we all too fixated on emailing, tweeting, just plain staring at our screens to participate in the world around us? The answer may be more complex than that, but you won’t find it in posts likeRead… Read more »
You step up to do the same thing you’ve done a million times before. You’re good! It always worked like magic. But something is different about this time. It’s not working. What gives? If whatever you have to do depends on a team, maybe the team hasn’t gelled yet. Don’t ignore this critical step! AboutRead… Read more »
The other day, a coworker and I had a discussion about how it’s nearly impossible to create something completely “original.” As a designer, this should make me want to close my laptop, go grab a bite and call it a day. But alas, if you dig a little deeper, even the most innovative artists’ magnificentRead… Read more »
Last week a pair of public servants published a couple of thought provoking blog posts; it was a conversation I felt I needed to get in on. =========================== Kent, It’s perfectly natural to question the path your on; I do it all the time. I can’t speak to your political views online (you probably shouldn’tRead… Read more »
We are all acutely aware that the US is graduating fewer students with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). For example, in 2009, the U.S. graduated 37,994 students with bachelor’s degrees in computer and information science — fewer than 25 years ago. What does that mean for the public sector? With set budgetsRead… Read more »
“Do you have any advice for how I can build those skills?” asked a wonderfully talented and intelligent young man earlier this week. “… relating to people. I’m more of a quiet and independent person. I’m not the life of the party.” I raised my eyebrow and struggled to hold back the surprise I feltRead… Read more »
All too often, the public assumes that government, when going toe-to-toe with the private sector, always loses. Even when we trumpet major successes of government (e.g. moon shot, arpanet), the public snickers and points to the private sector government contractors who supported these initiatives. Now for the ask! Nineteen organizations have been identified as finalistsRead… Read more »
Over the past year or two I’ve been to a couple of unconferences sessions about how people are increasingly measuring different parts of their lives: how far they run, how they sleep, what they eat, etc… As some readers may be aware, these efforts are often referred to as part of the “Quantified Self Movement.”Read… Read more »
Your morning starts with the usual goals for the day: Get project ‘A’ started, move project ‘B’ one step down the road, call Fred about the problem that came up yesterday, and so on. All of these are important goals; important in the sense that they directly relate to your job, and the work thatRead… Read more »
Today I’d like to introduce a new feature to YoungGovManager.com, a guide to dating for your office. You know, to help you manage and stuff. Managing people is hard. But it’s easier if they’re happy, and if you are happy too. Now, this column probably won’t help you turn a non-performer into a high-performer, butRead… Read more »