Posts By Tom Fox - The Federal Coach

The Federal Coach: USGS Director Marcia McNutt on Leadership

Dr. Marcia McNutt is the director of the U.S. Geological Survey, the nation’s largest Earth, water, biological science and civilian mapping agency. Previously, she served as president and chief executive officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. McNutt is a distinguished scientist, participating in 15 major oceanographic expeditions and serving as chief scientist onRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Timothy Wirth on Leadership: A Conversation with the UN Foundation President and Former U.S. Representative

Timothy E. Wirth has been the president of the United Nations Foundation since its inception in 1998. Wirth began his political career as a White House Fellow under President Lyndon Johnson and was deputy assistant secretary for education in the Nixon Administration. He is a former U.S. senator from Colorado and was also a memberRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Recently Promoted? How to Get Trust and Respect for Your New Role

This week’s question comes from a federal manager who was promoted to a management position after the previous manager was terminated. She shared, “Although I didn’t know in advance of the termination, I was accused in a managers meeting of getting him fired. Some staff are supportive. Others are distrustful. I understand that respect andRead… Read more »

Federal Coach: John Berry on Revitalizing the Federal Workforce: Talking with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management

As Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), John Berry is the government’s “chief people person.” He is responsible for recruiting, hiring and setting benefits policies for 1.9 million civilian federal employees. He began his career in employment and retirement issues serving as Rep. Steny Hoyer’s legislative director for 10 years. Prior to hisRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Public Service Recognition Week: A Roundup of How Agencies Are Celebrating

There is no better time than this week, the congressionally designated Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), to spread a message of praise, reenergize the workforce and perhaps even issue a challenge to forge ahead to make government work better on behalf of the American people. It is critically important for you as a federal leaderRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Playing to Employees’ Strengths: Talking Leadership with Comptroller General Gene Dodaro

U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro is head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the “congressional watchdog,” GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. Comptroller General Dodaro helps oversee the development and issuance of hundreds of reports and testimonies each year to variousRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Work With Someone Who Doesn’t Understand Social Norms?

Most people know how to behave in the workplace, but there are always outliers who are aggressive, quirky or who have never figured out the acceptable social norms. Recently, a colleague shared a rather bizarre story of a federal employee who would burp in the face of a colleague or manager when given a taskRead… Read more »

The Federal Coach: Why Do So Many ‘Slugs’ Keep Their Jobs?

This week’s question comes from a former federal employee who wants to know why so many non-performing federal employees are allowed to keep their jobs. Please continue sharing your questions, ideas and suggestions by commenting below or sending an email to [email protected]. While I was surprised to hear about President Obama’s recent comment that someRead… Read more »