It has not been an easy time for federal employees, with the pay freeze, attacks on the public sector, budget cutbacks and then the threat of a government shutdown. To add insult to injury, hundreds of thousands of federal workers were told on the eve of the possible shutdown they were non-essential, not exactly anRead… Read more »
This week’s question comes from an aspiring federal leader who’s feeling constrained by his agency environment. Please continue sharing your questions, ideas and suggestions by commenting below or sending an email to [email protected]. I am a new hire dealing with favoritism in the work place. Trying to compete with the favored employee has resulted inRead… Read more »
As the director of the National Park Service, Jon Jarvis oversees 20,000 employees, 140,000 volunteers and 394 national parks. With nearly 35 years of service with the National Park Service, Jarvis began his career as a ranger and was later promoted to superintendent positions in both Alaska and Idaho and regional director of the PacificRead… Read more »
Gary Locke is the 36th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He previously was a two-term governor of Washington and is the first Chinese-American in history to serve as governor. Secretary Locke is the presidential nominee to become the next U.S. ambassador to China. What leadership lessons did you learn as governor and how are you applyingRead… Read more »
“What do you think?” It’s a simple question, but one that federal managers routinely should be asking of their employees if they want an engaged workforce. Last week, President Obama personally asked federal employees in a video message for their ideas about how to make government more effective and efficient, particularly around efforts to increaseRead… Read more »
This week’s question is how to manage someone who also applied for your manager’s position. Please continue to share your ideas and suggestions for the column by commenting below and by sending in your questions to the [email protected]. How do you manage someone who wanted your job? –Federal manager (GS-13) from the U.S. Census BureauRead… Read more »
Dr. Michael Watkins is a leading expert on accelerating transitions. He is the co-author of The First 90 Days in Government, which has become a classic resource for public-sector leaders taking new roles. Watkins is also the chairman of Genesis Advisers, an executive on-boarding and leadership strategy consultancy, and has previously taught at Harvard University.Read… Read more »
With the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM)Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey coming to government workers again next month, now is a great time for federal managers to consider how you’re engaging and motivating your staff. While you may not have time to affect the results in this year’s survey, that shouldn’t stop you from planning forRead… Read more »
Kumar Kibble is the deputy director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the principal investigative agency for the Department of Homeland Security with more than 400 offices worldwide. Kibble has held several leadership roles at ICE headquarters, and has also completed numerous field assignments across the nation. His government career began as an infantryRead… Read more »
Although we have yet again avoided a government shutdown for at least three more weeks with the passage of the latest short-term appropriations bill for fiscal 2011, the operating conditions created by the continual funding uncertainties are taking a toll on federal agencies. As a federal leader, you’re already doing more with less. Perhaps youRead… Read more »