Leadership

YGL – Where Does the Time Go?

Where does the time go? For many of us young, multi-tasking, information-saturated, new-to-government leaders, the answer probably includes part work, part play, and part procrastination (in fact, isn’t that how the whole blogosphere got started in the first place?) If you have a case of the pokes and can’t seem to focus on the taskRead… Read more »

Immigration Policy

From http://mpa4hire.blogspot.com : The difference between enforcement and economic immigration reform is the same as the difference between symbolic and substantive issues. The symbolic enforcement represents tens of billions of dollars being used with little concern for its efficacy (“Controlling Unauthorized Immigration”, IPC) in order to express tough, popular rhetoric. It isn’t about resources, it’sRead… Read more »

Gov 2.0 and The Rise of Informal Networks

Recently I wrote this post that was featured on the Wikinomics blog. I thought I would share it and cross post it here as well. ——————————————- It’s official – Gov 2.0 is here to stay. From nGenera’s Gov 2.0: Wikinomics, Government and Democracy, project, NAPA’s Collaboration Project, and Mashable’s recent Gov 2.0 column, a lotRead… Read more »

Arrogance, Confidence, and Insecurity

“The moment you think of yourself as great, your slide toward mediocrity will have already begun,” Jim Collins. “Wisest is he who knows what he doesn’t know.” Plato I read these quotes the other day and I really like them both. I think mainly because it is an interesting time for my career as forRead… Read more »

Rule #4: Little Transfer of skills or knowledge occurs when the boss makes all the decisions.

Most individuals’ rise within an organization based on their proven track record; that is after all the basis of “merit promotion”. Therefore, most first line managers are selected based on their technical skill and often succeed in their first management position by exercising their superior technical knowledge rather then developing management skills. My own experienceRead… Read more »

What’s the Matter with Kansas?

It’s good to be back after a few weeks on the road. I knew my trip to Kansas would provide fodder for the blog. First, I’ll admit it: I am a latte-drinking, coastal-living (until recently), blue-state elitist. But every time I go on an obligatory trip to the “heartland” (and obligatory is the only reasonRead… Read more »

What Employers Can Learn From the Principles of Olympism

In watching coverage of the games last evening, my wife and I were discussing the overwhelming complexity involved in managing and deploying the Olympics. With so many nations each carrying such unique agendas and goals, what overarching principles are applied to such a multifaceted assembly? What procedures are in place to ensure proper philosophical governanceRead… Read more »

Poll Results – On the Fence Regarding Public Service Academy

I closed the poll for the latest survey question: “What’s Your Opinion of the U.S. Public Service Academy” The results look like this: 13.0% Best Idea Ever 39.1% Better Than Most Ideas 21.7% Not Really Necessary 26.1% Big Waste of Money It’s a pretty interesting breakdown. Basically it’s a 50/50 split on whether people thinkRead… Read more »