Miscellaneous

Critical leadership skills in uncertain times

The current environment including the government shutdown, sequestration, and a slow recovery from a long recession have all made the need for real leadership an even more critical resource for organizations than ever. It’s not just the technical capabilities or their ability to execute that becomes so important, although that is of course critically importantRead… Read more »

Do Not Hit The Car In Front Of You!

Often times the biggest problem with government bureaucracy is the inability to keep things simple. Something as simple as a street sign can be made a nightmare by some bureaucrat. Check out this school zone traffic sign as an example, which I wrote about in a previous post. Try to make sense when the speedRead… Read more »

Personal Goal and Thank You

Have finally reached a personal goal I set for myself when I retired from Active federal service (Dec 2011). I have managed to collect 100,000 “govloop points”, Doubt seriously that it will make much difference to the number of people who follow me, doubt that there will be a great deal of change in myRead… Read more »

Governance: Strategies to think about

Governance has always been sort of a hot button issue. Now more than ever organizations are really trying to figure out how to get the right mix of governance that enables them to have repeatable processes to understand what’s working, what’s not, and drive repeatable performance. I’ve always believed that good governance starts with anRead… Read more »

#GovShutdown – Day 15, Senate makes progress – Plus the DorobekINSIDER’s 7 stories

On GovLoop Insights’ DorobekINSIDER: We’ll say it as many times as it takes: “You Are Essential!” Every federal employee is essential. But the “You Are Essential” mantra doesn’t change the fact that some people were required to work during the shutdown, while some were furloughed. That situation could mean some awkwardness when the government reopens.Read… Read more »

Essentially Non-Essential – How to deal with the monikers when gov reopens

We’ll say it as many times as it takes: “You Are Essential!” Yes, you heard us. Every federal employee is essential. That’s why GovLoop launched the You Are Essential campaign. (To join in and get some sweet swag click here.) But the “You Are Essential” mantra doesn’t change the fact that some people were requiredRead… Read more »

Shutdown + Debt Ceiling = Trouble – Plus the DorobekINSIDER’s 7 Stories

On GovLoop Insights’ DorobekINSIDER: We are now on day 14 of the government shutdown and for furloughed feds the financial impact is really starting to sink in. There is still no clear answer on whether or not feds who are furloughed will receive back pay. So for now, furloughed feds have to brace for theRead… Read more »

How does the game theory apply to the shutdown?

“Some portray it as a Manichean struggle between good and evil. Warren Buffett says it’s “extreme idiocy.” I’d like to recommend another way of looking at the government shutdown and the looming battle over the debt ceiling in Washington. It’s a game, played by flawed-but-not-crazy human beings under confusing circumstances. In other words, it’s anRead… Read more »

Passion for Datatelling

Once upon a time, in a far away land…wait, this isn’t some fairy tale about princes and princesses, but rather one where the hero (in this case me) gets to explain why great storytelling is the true art and future of all data analysis projects within government organizations, businesses, and non-profits. As I have saidRead… Read more »

#GovShutdown Reader – Day 10: Plus the DorobekINSIDER’s 7 Stories

On GovLoop Insights’ DorobekINSIDER: Something’s gotta give. A new survey finds federal CFOs and their staffs have only enough time, money and know-how to do the basics around financial management. Ouch. So what can they do to ease their burden? Insights from Grant Thorton. GovLoop’s DorobekINSIDER #GovShutdown Reader – Day 10: The Washington Post: HowRead… Read more »