As employees start to return to normal after the government shutdown, managers are finding it difficult to effectively communicate with employees. Leaders are tasked with toeing a fine line between talking about the impacts of the shutdown and engaging people in the work that needs to be done. The key to effectively navigating the lineRead… Read more »
So now former administrator Martha Johnson has written a book about her days at GSA. More power to her. I haven’t read the book yet but I’m sure it’s a good read, especially for ex-GSA junkies like me. My comments are not intended as a knock against Ms. Johnson, but are more about the systemRead… Read more »
In the spirit of Jolly ol’ Santa, this rule is one that we could safely say he lived by. And you have to admit he’s been pretty successful. Being cheerful is a rule that will establish you as someone who is in control, smooth, relaxed and confident. It worked for Santa, hundreds of thousands BoyRead… Read more »
We’ve been away for some time now, so please don’t expect that we can return to normalcy in a day or even a week. We need each of you to take time, each hour, to check on your co workers and offer encouragement and comfort where necessary. We are one team, the best team inRead… Read more »
There’s been no shortage of negativity surrounding the government shutdown and near debt default – and for good reason. The federal family and the American people were badly hurt again for partisan political purposes. This shameful development should have never occurred in America, which prides itself on being the world’s role model for democratic governanceRead… Read more »
Over a week has passed since government employees (those not furloughed due to the sequester, at least) returned to their offices, and as a result, the urgency of our You Are Essential campaign seemed to wither. In reality, the urgency remains. As conversations about government budget cuts and sequester continue, we need to reflect uponRead… Read more »
Leaders are trying to use measurements as their swimming goggles. It is the major technique they are relying on. My beef with measures is that we are not applying them proportionally. – Martha Johnson. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “measure twice and cut once.” But in government it seems like we are measuring eight times.Read… Read more »
Spock – Not a “yes-man” One thing I have learned unequivocally over the course of my career is the importance of diversity in achieving success. Leaders should be skeptical of too much agreement and actively work to bring in people that complement rather than duplicate their own viewpoints, backgrounds and beliefs. This diversity leads toRead… Read more »
Leadership is just as important today as it was in the beginning of human history. As far back as history can be determined, there have been people such as Jesus, Moses, Noah, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy, who have been in situations that required the skills of a leader. An example of leadershipRead… Read more »
During my first week as a federal contractor, one of my clients asked, “How are you going to make my life easier?” That was her bottom line. If I couldn’t guarantee that we (myself and the team I managed) would ease her pain points and not create any new headaches for her, she wasn’t willingRead… Read more »