Several years ago I met an extraordinary gentleman during a seminar I was presenting in Columbus, Ohio. We continue to be friends to this day. But equally as important, he has become a much respected colleague. Brian Ahearn is a certified trainer for the Principles of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini. The basis for theRead… Read more »
If you look at the hierarchy in your office, do you have the most qualified people on your staff in the top management positions? Are the people on the bottom of the heap truly the least qualified? Top talent doesn’t necessarily mean the highest on the totem pole or those who have the broadest skillRead… Read more »
As Federal agencies grapple with multiple challenges, from finding top talent in the face of rising competition from the private sector, to the retirement tsunami and budget challenges, an emphasis is typically, and not unexpectedly, placed on talent acquisition. The challenges in this process are not trivial, and without coming to grips with improving thisRead… Read more »
Several months ago, a coworker noticed I had a “throw down meeting” scheduled on my Outlook calendar. “Is everything OK?” she asked, eyebrows furled. I laughed, and realized I had some explaining to do! I told her “throw down” is slang for “fight” – those of us who work with troubled teens have heard aboutRead… Read more »
This past week I was able to attend a Management Concepts training offered by my Agency focused on presenting data analysis. This was a great three day training that if you ever have the opportunity to take I highly recommend. But as I know training dollars can be thin, I’m going to share some ofRead… Read more »
A special edition of GovLoop’s DorobekINSIDER today. We’re LIVE! We meet every month with the simple idea, get smart people together and share ideas because we believe that the real power of information comes when it is shared. Better data means better customer service. Consider the way Amazon uses your purchasing history to suggest itemsRead… Read more »
“Hey Sisyphus. That’s some rock you’re pushing up the hill!” Don’t you just feel like that some days? Pushing a rock up hill, hoping it doesn’t roll back down on you? Just to clarify, in the original myth, Sisyphus was condemned for eternity to push a boulder up the hill and having it roll down,Read… Read more »
One of the most effective ways of getting your employees to think outside the box, innovate, improve processes and increase efficiencies is to start by asking questions, rather than providing answers. Your staff members have a wealth of ideas for how to do their jobs better, but many might feel hesitant to make suggestions. EvenRead… Read more »
Ready for your performance evaluation? Nothing stirs up the stomach like knowing it’s time to find out how you measure up at work. In some organizations, 360 degree evaluations are popular, while many of us receive monthly, quarterly, or yearly evaluations directly from our supervisors. Then there are those impromptu, informal evaluations where a supervisor,Read… Read more »
In the spirit of taking time off to replenish my creativity and innovation, the following blog is one that proved very popular back in May, so I’m posting it again in my absence. Innovation and creativity really is something that all of us can tap into. If you haven’t previously read this, or if youRead… Read more »