Bike commuters. We come in all shapes and sizes, in clothing ranging from business casual to spandex, and on a variety of bicycles. The logistics behind it aren’t always obvious to onlookers so questions come up. Hopefully providing answers will encourage more people to join us on the road. 1. Why do you bike toRead… Read more »
There has been quite a bit of conversation about empathy over the past few years. Studies show its benefits in improving relationships, team dynamics and the social development of our children. At the same time, a body of research reveals that empathy often fails when needed most, like after large scale disasters and with peopleRead… Read more »
While a Master of Science in Leadership is a relatively new degree, in a very short time it is being perceived as a 21st century alternative to MPA degrees. MS-Leadership is a course of study that offers participants an opportunity to enhance their experience and leadership skills. Organizations recognize that using personal and creative approachesRead… Read more »
Have you noticed how busy everyone is lately? (Or at least how much people like to talk about how busy they are?) Ask people how they are doing, and it seems like the most common response is: “Busy!!” But did you ever wonder what that means, exactly? “Busy” can mean that we are doing workRead… Read more »
Could Luke Skywalker harness his abilities without Yoda’s wisdom? Would the Banks family learn the importance of family without Mary Poppins? There are no shortage of mentor-mentee relationships in cinema. In these examples, the mentors provide insight to bring out the best in the mentees. Similarly, we can leverage the advantages of mentorships to get ahead and avoidRead… Read more »
Let’s face it. Most of us are no strangers to the challenge of having too much to do and too little time. But what about when you’re not all that busy? On those rare but inevitable occasions in which you’re able to take a breather at work, here are five ways to use that preciousRead… Read more »
I recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite public servants, the Director of the Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Sherry Middleton. With over 32 years of experience in public service through both government and nonprofit work, Sherry is a respected, influential, andRead… Read more »
Pro bono consulting –the delivery of professional services undertaken voluntarily– is a great way to enhance your professional skills while doing public service for your community. According to the Taproot Foundation, one of the larger organizations in this space: “Most organizations tackling social problems don’t have access to the marketing, design, technology, management or strategicRead… Read more »
The world of public service seems to be split into two groups, “data people” and “program people”. Whatever camp we are in, we tend to avoid the other side like last week’s laundry. For those of us who are “program people”, we have built our career around a mission of service to others. We valueRead… Read more »
This week I spent a day of Leadership Development Program discussing resiliency. Resiliency is the ability to carry on in the face of adversity, similar to grit, and, as an earlier blog pointed out, resiliency is the antidote to stress. Personal resiliency can lead to professional resiliency, which then leads to a resilient organization – an organizationRead… Read more »