Career

Is Grad School Worth It? It Depends on Your Value Drivers

There were a lot of great comments revolving around the grad school question. Thank you to all those who commented. Although not explicitly communicated, many of the comments illustrated the values driving each person. At any given time, we can be GOOD at only one or two (rarely three) of our most important values. ThereforeRead… Read more »

NCDD’s next Confab set for February 23rd: Join us!

Join us for our next Confab call on Thursday, February 23rd from 1:00 to 2:30 EST. This month’s featured NCDDers are Tina Nabatchi and Cynthia Farrar, who will be talking to us about their 2011 report “Bridging the Gap between Public Officials and the Public.” Tina and Cynthia’s 2011 report for the Deliberative Democracy ConsortiumRead… Read more »

The Worst and Best Degrees: A Bunch of Bunk!

It was a while there and I couldn’t speak–so upset was I that countless, thoughtless bloggers were telling us the Worst and Best Degrees–and we’re already feeling an uncertain future. I’m calm now. Okay, I’m back and re-posting. I had to go count, name all the Presidents, then all the State Capitols until I stoppedRead… Read more »

Sunlight Foundation: The Senate's Dodd Problem

MPAA head lobbyist Chris Dodd threatened Congress and the President last week, suggesting that lawmakers should remember that they’ve been bought, and that if they want to continue to enjoy their piece of the entertainment industry’s largesse, they should mind their leash: “Candidly, those who count on quote ‘Hollywood‘ for support need to understand thatRead… Read more »

The Second Gate in the Pipeline: Managing Others

Congratulations! You’ve done well. Your performance has been exemplary and we would like to offer you a promotion. Go do great things! We know you can do it! You’ve gotten your first management assignment! Congratulations! Taking on that first management assignment is scary and exciting. You tell your friends and family. You wonder what theRead… Read more »

Fixmo Announces Advisory Board, Adds to Board of Directors

We have previously written about the Mobile Risk Management leader Fixmo and their relevance to enterprise missions and I have shared my excitement to be on the advisory board of this very virtuous firm (see, for example, Fixmo And Mobile Risk Management For Enterprise and Government Agencies). Fixmo has just announced the full membership ofRead… Read more »

Top 10 Reasons DISCO and OPM Reject Security Clearance Requests

Check out this just released list of top 10 reasons that security clearance requests are rejected. You may have thought drug use or credit issues were to blame, but it’s not nearly as juicy as that. It’s mundane, simple mistakes such as missing information, lack of fingerprint cards or not providing information for relatives whoRead… Read more »

2011 Service to America Medal Winners: What Pivotal Plays Have You Seen in Government Lately?

The Partnership for Public Service annually honors outstanding federal employees who have made a significant difference in the lives of Americans. Often referred to as the “Oscars of government service,” the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (aka The Sammies) highlights all of the “pivotal players” in government who are chosen based on theirRead… Read more »