Did your last presentation leave your colleagues rubbing their eyes and chugging coffee? During your time at the front of the room, did your voice sound a lot like when an adult talked in the old Peanuts cartoons? Then your presentations are putting your audience to sleep—and your professional reputation is taking a hit in the process. The ability to communicate verbally,Read… Read more »
As a “seasoned” employee of the Corps of Engineers, I thought I already knew quite a bit about leadership. After almost 25 years, I have been a Project Manager, Program Manager, and had a few stints as a temporary Supervisor, in addition to my usual technical work in environmental compliance. When my mentor suggested IRead… Read more »
It’s no secret that federal employees are not always satisfied with their agency – but what about federal executives? A new survey out of Vanderbilt University, titled “Survey on the Future of Government Service,” found that a third of federal executives believe that the workforce lacks the skills to get the job done and thatRead… Read more »
Last week, we kicked off the blog series by addressing why we need millennials in public service. This week, let’s talk about how to tackle some harmful stereotypes. We already know that people can cringe at the “M word”- millennials. By this point, you’ve probably heard all about why millennials get a bad rep. We’reRead… Read more »
Imagine today is the last day at your current job. You checked out the link at USAJobs and realized the offer letter is real and you have received your promotion job offer letter. It is a great feeling to know that after countless hours of resume writing, editing, and interview practicing that you can reapRead… Read more »
Pursuing a career as both a woman and a minority is no easy task. However, Esther Aguilera, President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, has never shied away from a challenge. In fact, challenges have been the propelling force in her long career across the public and private sector. Now, Aguilera uses lessonsRead… Read more »
The way you hold yourself projects subtle clues to those around you. Whether or not you’re aware of it, you’re providing ideas about your trustworthiness, openness, and social stature. We all take on certain body language cues depending on how we’re feeling. If you’re feeling confident and in charge, you’ll naturally expand to take upRead… Read more »
Competition for jobs is fierce in today’s economy. According to Forbes, a typical job posting attracts 118 applicants! With this in mind, jobseekers need to be proactive in seeking opportunities to learn and refine skills. Last week, I attended an Economic Measurement Seminar organized by the National Association of Business Economists (NABE). It took placeRead… Read more »
You’re stuck in the middle. LITERALLY. As middle management you get the seemingly impossible task of not just managing those who report to you, but the delicate balance of working with other managers AND keeping your boss happy (which generally means keeping his/her boss happy). So how do you keep both ends of the spectrumRead… Read more »
Delegating isn’t a skill that comes easily to most people. But if you’re a manager, it’s a crucial one to learn. The simple fact is that one person can’t do it all – and if you try to, you’ll just be asking for a bad case of burnout. Not to mention that overwhelming yourself canRead… Read more »