Maybe Steve Ressler’s discussion about how long you should stay in one position got you thinking. (Catherine Andrews sums the main points up nicely here.) Maybe you’ve been daydreaming about moving on for the past year – or maybe you already have another offer on the table. However you’ve gotten to this point, you knowRead… Read more »
Shutdown, furloughs, pay cuts – oh my! Last year was basically Groundhog Day for feds, each day an endless cycle of bad news – at least, that’s what it felt like. But how bad was it, really? A new survey tries to capture the data. In the new report, “Embracing Change: CHCOs Rising to theRead… Read more »
Adding on to my last post on the Women’s Empowerment (WE) initiative in Kansas City, Missouri, we are looking closely at our internal practices to build a more inclusive, diverse city government. As a woman, a new mom, and coming from the male-dominated profession of architecture, I am acutely aware of some of the barriersRead… Read more »
Professionalism in the workplace is a hot topic. Being a “professional” portrays various images based on your perception of its definition. So, what’s your perception? We often think of a suited-up individual with a briefcase. Professionalism is often associated with competence and skill. However, being a skilled employee is not the same as being aRead… Read more »
There is a perception within the federal government that HR offices in most agencies are the place where people are placed when there’s no place else to put them. I have heard over the years that HR is the location where the “problem” people land. It’s often viewed that all HR employees do is processRead… Read more »
How can you get your employees to give you the thumbs up? Improving morale is one place to start. “Budget cuts, restrictions, reduced resources, and shutdowns” could be the mantra of our times. Many public sector workers got into their field out of a love for service, but constant roadblocks can wear down even theRead… Read more »
Meetings compose a large amount of your work time, but are they time well spent? Efficiency can be increased or decimated by the timing and structure of meetings. Think about the impact multiplier for each participant. Starting an eight person meeting 15 minutes late wastes two hours of work for the organization. Bad meetings areRead… Read more »
Whether or not you’re looking for a new job, it’s a good idea to keep building, strengthening and maintaining your professional network to help you improve your stature in your field and help you get more done by gaining access to more resources. In terms of a job search, many of the best jobs areRead… Read more »
Can we achieve Integrated Talent Management (ITM) within the Federal government? My answer is “Yes, we can.” In order for Federal agencies to achieve ITM, they have to do business differently than they have done in the past. One example that comes to mind is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA has achieved ITMRead… Read more »
It’s a clear compliment to be chosen to take charge – but it can also be nerve-wracking to have that much responsibility laid on your shoulders. There are ropes to learn, responsibilities to juggle, and expectations are coming at you from those above and those below. You need to earn your team’s trust, earn yourRead… Read more »