When we are in conflict with someone at work, it can feel like we are in a tug-of-war (or worse). There is our way (which of course, is the right way), and their way (the not-so-right-way). When conflict feels like this, in order to move forward, it seems as though there are only twoRead… Read more »
It’s no new news. Employee engagement and employee morale in government are at an all time low. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report quantifies a drop in what is known as the employee engagement index (EEI). According to the report, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM’s) index dropped from 67 percent in 2011 toRead… Read more »
Last Monday, we experienced a major milestone at GovLoop – we moved into a new office. We are pretty excited with the new space and there’s a ton of exciting new features from sit-to-stand desks to office ping pong to lots of conference rooms and an amazing large kitchen. But behind that move was sixRead… Read more »
Imagine a federal government with no managers, executives, supervisors, bosses or titles. Imagine a federal holocracy-an organization where authority and decision making are distributed through self-organizing teams rather than a hierarchy. One such organization that is making this “outside the box” approach work is Zappos, an online shoe and clothing company. You are probably thinkingRead… Read more »
When I was young I was fortunate enough to have parents who enrolled me in a multitude of activities: soccer, piano, ballet, tap, volleyball, basketball, Girl Scouts, horseback riding, cycling, even trombone (I mastered two notes and discarded it). I only ended up truly loving a couple of those but through them all, I learnedRead… Read more »
According to the Partnership for Public Service’s recent Employee Engagement Survey, employees give their federal agencies failing marks. A dismal 39 percent of federal employees think they can actually attract the right people to their jobs. The survey is based off of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM’s) Federal Viewpoint Survey, which measures if fedsRead… Read more »
Ninjas are the glue that holds our organizations together. Normally they are folks who have been around for a while, have the institutional knowledge and can point to where all the dead bodies are buried. Ninjas are loyal, often do jobs many us don’t like and can be counted on in the clutch. For theRead… Read more »
In the seminal military treatise, The Art of War, author Sun Tzu writes, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” This maxim holds true during workplace transitions. Change for Govies is constant, taking on varying forms. Whether it’s a system upgrade, turnover, reorganization, or downsizing, it is bound to happen at your agency.Read… Read more »
Attracting and retaining talent is a challenge for many public sector organizations, especially in light of an aging workforce and an upsurge of retirees. One effective method to uncover the reasons employees jump ship, be it to the private sector or elsewhere in the public sector, is the exit interview. What is an exit interview?Read… Read more »
It is easy to manage, budget, and lead when times are good. But, now is the time when the good leaders can separate themselves from the pack. Take advantage of the downturn by positioning your teams for long term success, and be wary of any changes that will have a negative impact on your culture.