Leadership

How Local Government Decisions Are Really Made

People often seem surprised by the decisions local public officials make. It’s not uncommon to hear community residents say, “What the heck were they thinking about when they …???” Since I enjoyed the privilege of a lengthy career in local government, I was able to personally observe the process many local government bodies used toRead… Read more »

An Organizational and Leadership Debacle: Is it Time to Audit the IRS?

The IRS has never been the most popular kid in the lunch room. The current IRS scandal shows an agency experiencing organizational and leadership issues. I suppose they provide a necessary function, but who hasn’t complained bitterly in the spring about the amount of money and time it takes to meet their demands? I’ve beenRead… Read more »

3 Takeaways from the President’s New Management Agenda

The White House issued its “new management agenda.” Cynics, of course, will note that the President is announcing a “new” management agenda in the fifth year of his presidency. And, in fact, there wasn’t much new in Monday’s announcement outside of saying that the new director of the Office of Management and Budget Sylvia MathewsRead… Read more »

Making Better Decisions: Leveraging Your Resources In Challenging Times

Often times it seems like the government’s answer to a problem is to add more regulations or requirements. To pile on the problem rather than really look for a solution. AGA and six national associations of government officials released a call-to-action guide designed to help promote trust in government by limiting government requirements to thoseRead… Read more »

Federal Government Marks Independence Day on Social Media

As America celebrates the Fourth of July this year, several federal agencies and the White House have released commemorative information via Twitter and other social media, including: USA.gov & OPM: “The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. FindRead… Read more »

Half Empty or Half Full?

A recent GAO report on the executive branch’s approach to new requirements in the Government Performance and Results Act recommends that “OMB improve the implementation of the act.” But a sub-theme in the report describes how agencies are actually building a long-term, solid foundation for a performance-driven government. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is requiredRead… Read more »