Leadership

Can tech really help you engage? Insights from the Knight Foundation

Two years ago the Knight Foundation launched their Tech for Engagement Initiative. The idea was simple, they wanted to answer the question, can technology accelerate the capacity of citizens within a community to engage in their civic life in an easier and more effective way? The question seems fairly straightforward. But as the Knight Foundation’sRead… Read more »

Telework: The pros and the not so pros – Session Summary

The following is a summary from the Leadership at all Levels session on October 12, 2012. Speakers and participants in this session had the opportunity to discuss and share opinions on telework policies and issues in the federal government. Guest Speakers: Wanda Smith – GSA Danette Campbell – USPTO Summary: Telework offers some risks andRead… Read more »

The 2 Motives Driving Organizational Saboteurs

We’ve already discussed how the saboteur undermines an organization or cause by starting a cycle of operational drag and harassing and demoralizing their coworkers. But what drives a saboteur? Didn’t he want to work there in the first place? Wasn’t she hired because she was the top of her field? The number one motivation forRead… Read more »

Innovation: Begin by Thinking Different

Innovation and Change, a Historical Perspective A historical perspective of an organization, as those cited by Willem Mastenbroek from over a decade ago are not only interesting as an evolutionary history of organization and the firm, but also facilitate insight into early management and human behavior. The examples also give a glimpse into what hasRead… Read more »

The Simple Sabotage Field Manual, Cubicle Edition

Behold, published in 1944, the Simple Sabotage Field Manual. In its original context, the SSFM was applied to allied sympathizers in occupied territories during WWII. Today, the field guide has stunning applicability to 21st century organizations and employees. This blog reframes the Simple Sabotage Field Guide’s “tips and tricks” as a set of guideline forRead… Read more »

The Importance of Confidence

Creative Commons via youaremyfave.com Over the past 4 years, I’ve met a lot of my online friends “in real life.” And, as a sociologist, I’m always curious to see if someone will live up to their online persona. There are 3 possibilities, right? I am always delighted when people meet or exceed my expectations andRead… Read more »

Cloud $ Confusion

It seems like never before has a technology platform brought so much confusion as the Cloud. No, I am not talking about the definition of cloud (which dogged many for quite some time), but the cost-savings or the elusiveness of them related to cloud computing. On one hand, we have the Federal Cloud Computing Strategy,Read… Read more »

Considering a Career in Federal Government? Maybe the PMF Program is Right for You!

Are you finishing your graduate degree within this academic year? Did you complete graduate school within the last two years? If you answered “yes” to either of these, then you are eligible to apply to the Presidential Management Fellows Program! Why you should consider applying: Rotation through several departments to give you a diverse lookRead… Read more »