Teams look instinctively to their leaders for emotional clues on how to respond to situations, or at least I know I do. Especially in times of uncertainty, your employees will look to you to see how they should respond.
The recent election results have made many federal employees anxious for their futures. In times of uncertainty, the best defense is a strong offense. And the best offense is to join a federal-employee union.
According to Harvard Business Review, leaders who are strategic thinkers spend their time asking and answering questions in these four areas, instead of micromanaging their workforce.
You have to prioritize your own development if for the simple fact that no one will do it for you. Often, what you need to develop is tied to deeply held beliefs about who you are as a person, what makes you good at your job, and things you believe you can’t change.
Fear. Anger. Excitement. Relief. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, it’s safe to say that this presidential election brought emotions to the forefront. While we reflect on the circumstances, actions, and results of the last few months, I can’t help but observe the powerful role emotions play in our decision-making.
No matter your station in life, Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y, Millennial, or anything in between, it will be consistently important to recognize while we may not have the same ways of thinking or doing, those differences will be what makes us successful IF we highlight the best of each and work in coalition.
Staying in the correct mindset during this phase of the innovation process can place your innovation project on the right path and prepare the team for the next step – knowing people.
There often comes a time in a scientist’s career when he or she must face a difficult reality: in order to continue to grow professionally, he or she must transition from a life at the bench to a life at the desk, from managing experiments to managing people.
I would encourage federal tech talent to heed that advice and see what happens. A smart, business-like administration will recognize your talent and re-recruit you to your important work of change and dramatically improving outcomes.
The new Administration’s transition team has a challenging few months ahead of them. Learn what you can do as a career civil servant to help out.