I rejoined the Federal government in 2010 after a 10-year hiatus where I explored opportunities in the private sector. I was lured back into the federal fold by the promise of working on an amazing (and amazingly difficult) project. For the last four years I’ve been working with economists, lawyers, computer scientists, and engineers toRead… Read more »
I was sitting in a floor-level seat at the Eagles concert in Los Angeles back in January. Although I was enjoying myself, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. I had performance reviews (along with my regular never-ending stack of work) waiting for me back in Fort Worth. I was promoted to my first supervisoryRead… Read more »
A week ago the famous Napa region was shaken by a 6.0 scale earthquake resulting in serious damage to buildings, injuries and disruptions in services to a large area. This is something residents in the Bay Area have come to expect and we are all waiting for the next “big one”, overdue in most expertsRead… Read more »
If you’re heading to college this fall, you may be focused on the major costs—tuition and fees, possibly room and board. We have examined some of the other costs of college, such as textbooks and college debit cards, that can really add up if you’re not looking out for them. Here’s some information to helpRead… Read more »
What’s the primary source of frustration for you in your organization? If you’re like many, the inability to move people towards a certain goal ranks high on your list. Interpersonal relationships can be tough. If only everyone saw it your way. The reality, of course, is that this is a two way street. Their inabilityRead… Read more »
Over the course of the next 12 weeks, I will focus on things you can do to eventually land your dream federal job. There is a quote by Maxwell Maltz I love it says, “Visualize this thing that you want. See it, feel it, and believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and then beginRead… Read more »
It’s time again for you to write a contract. Your agency has the opportunity to work with a new consultant or will need a new contract for an on going service. You understand the importance of the service, but you hate the paperwork involved in the contracting process. This sentiment is common for government employeesRead… Read more »
“Let me just show you around…” “…your desk is by the window…” “…and you’ll need to turn that in every Friday…” “…here’s the coffee maker, it’s a little fidgety, so just…” “…Joel’s been with us since the beginning, just ask him anything…” “…extra pens in the closet…” “…meeting every Tuesday, except this week it’s Wednesday…”Read… Read more »
According to Merriam-Webster.com, “perfectionism is defined as viewing something that is anything other than perfect as unacceptable.” While is it acceptable and expected that federal employees meet and exceed expectations, the pursuit of perfectionism can often lead to a stranglehold on one’s ability to achieve basic work-related goals. Let’s be honest, every day we goRead… Read more »
We know many in the NCDD community are interested in collective impact strategies, so we wanted to share a helpful piece on the subject from the blog of one of our newest NCDD members, Beth Tener of the New Directions Collaborative. We encourage you to her thoughts below or find the original here. Several clientsRead… Read more »