This past Thursday I participated in the GovLoop webinar about Individual Development Plans (IDPs). I work for a unit of local government that does not require IDPs or anything similar so I was not familiar with the concept but I am interested in career advancement and so I thought it worth the hour. Kathleen FloraRead… Read more »
Does it seem like you just can’t get a break when it comes to your job hunt? The phone interview seems to go well, you’ve made it to the in-person interview on time, you’re dressed professionally, and you’re qualified. But for some reason, all you keep hearing is, “We’ve decided to go with another candidateRead… Read more »
Many ambitious young feds want to move into leadership positions. Hard work, coupled with the passage of time, can help you get a top spot in your organization, but even now, you can begin reaching for roles and responsibilities that will allow you to demonstrate your leadership skills. These opportunities might be big or small,Read… Read more »
It may seem a bit early to start planning for next year, but with the holidays coming on and the end-of-year crush at work already in session I don’t need to tell you the next few weeks will disappear in the blink of an eye. The new year is a traditional blank slate for most people,Read… Read more »
Public servants have a hard enough time without giving each other grief. And yet, how many of us are guilty of taking part in office gossip? I try to be a Good Human, but I sometimes fail. And I sometimes gossip. Reflecting on this, I’ve realized that I had no “Gossip Strategy”. Now I do.Read… Read more »
I learned a new phrase this week: “time confetti.” It’s a phrase that Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, And Play When No One Has The Time uses to describe the harried mishmash of time in modern life. Our days are sliced to ribbons by hordes of overlapping responsibilities, our constant connectivity to workRead… Read more »
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn Highly successful people have learned the word “no”. That is the reason they are paid more and promoted faster. When you truly want to do something, like sleep in late, but you don’t because you know that you have a deadline to beat, you’veRead… Read more »
I’m going to let you in on a little secret (but I should warn you, you may not like it!) There’s no such thing as a problem employee… or a bad boss… or a lousy colleague. These people just aren’t sitting in the right chair. See, somewhere along the line, they failed to ask aRead… Read more »
“You will always be on the margins because all you have are these idealistic notions that don’t apply.” That’s the fictional CEO in Amazon’s Enlightened, chewing out whistleblower Amy, played by Laura Dern. “Well if caring about something other than money is dopey, I’m a fuckin’ moron.” Amy started the series as an angry, ruthless career-climber. SheRead… Read more »
“That’s great! Have a good night!” That is me, tiptoeing backwards. Because the other person won’t stop speaking. Sure, there’s a technique for handling this. But unfortunately not one that I ever mastered. “Did you say goodbye? I have a great story about goodbyes.” Oh no. Oh no. “Hang on just a second, I’ll walkRead… Read more »