When making a decision, especially in the public sector, it is imperative that officials understand the costs and benefits of their choice, whether it be establishing a new program or making changes to an existing program. Below, I provide a broad, standard process officials can follow when conducting a cost-benefit analysis. I did not goRead… Read more »
Solving problems takes creativity, especially in an era of diminished resources and evaporating budgets. One of the most creative people you have ever met is you – a few decades ago. Thinking like a kid can spur innovation, uncover unexpected solutions and make the most mundane work fun. “Kids are the most constructive and destructiveRead… Read more »
The other day I realized it is unusual for people to be told they are appreciated. The revelation came about from my offering a compliment to the person responsible for the logistics of my meetings and events. The comment was: people do not appreciate the effort required to have a perfect meeting – if itRead… Read more »
Leaders want to influence the behaviors of followers. But what is the most effective way to do this? By asserting strength and competence, or by focusing on warmth and trustworthiness? Style matters, claim several Harvard Business Review authors, Amy Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger, in a recent article. They write: “A growing body ofRead… Read more »
How exactly do you bring Silicon Valley innovation to government? “You have to give a damn about other people. You can make a difference no matter what sector of the economy you are in. My goal is to use tech to help solve the big human challenges,” said Ryan Allis. Ryan Allis was the co-founderRead… Read more »
Last week, we held the Next Generation of Government Training Summit. There were lots of big ideas, great conversations, and my favorite – pithy, inspirational quotes. Here’s my 20 favorite quotes from the event: 1) When one person does something that’s great, but when a whole community does it together — that’s real change. -AldenRead… Read more »
Buffalo City Council members meet every two weeks to take actions on the many different issues and items that come before them. Councilmembers have the ability to raise any new ideas or concerns they have by filing a resolution, which will bring the item before the full Council. As I wrote about in a previousRead… Read more »
There are a great many insights we can get on the Federal workforce by looking at the Best Places to Work survey conducted by Partnership for Public Service, but one struck me as particularly revealing. In looking at the data from the 2012 survey, we can see that only four in ten Federal employees believeRead… Read more »
The Next Generation of Government Training Summit is a two-day training summit aimed at inspiring and educating rising government leaders. The sessions and workshops presented are jam packed with information to further enhance their day-to-day career and the betterment of government overall. In Day 2’s luncheon keynote we heard from Geoff Smart, Chairman & CEO,Read… Read more »
NextGen Training Summit Presented by: Partnership for Public Service In order to be a successful leader or manager it is essential to achieve a high level of trust with others, particularly in these challenging times when trust in our government’s leaders is at its lowest levels. In an interactive session, representatives from the Partnership forRead… Read more »