I had a unique opportunity this year to go to another city and do a rotation at an agency other than my own. I learned a lot while I was there: what that agency does, how they do it, about myself, and about how to celebrate people’s personal lives at work. Many of us areRead… Read more »
While there are many aspects of my detail to The Innovation Lab at the Office of Personnel Management that I enjoy, one of my favorites is access to the Lab’s space in the sub-basement of OPM’s Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building. The space is a dream for those seeking a creative and collaborative work environment. ForRead… Read more »
Many of us govies spend a lot of time at work surrounded by drab-colored cubicle walls with limited privacy or personal space. Although I long for the day that I will have a door and dream for the time when I will be able to control my own lighting (bye-bye harsh fluorescents), I have foundRead… Read more »
Navigating office politics is hard enough. But finding words to express the frustrations you feel about office politic can be even more challenging. The below terms, definitions and usage will help you communicate these frustrations more effectively. Ceiling diplomacy (noun) – Undertaking the act of pretending you are unaware of something that you are veryRead… Read more »
I never thought I would work in an office, let alone in a government one. Since being hired I have occupied a giant gray cubicle with lights so harsh I requested building services unscrew the bulbs. The cubicle walls were so high I couldn’t see over the top without wearing heels. The windows were blockedRead… Read more »
In today’s inter-generational work environment, some people in the diverse workforce approach their daily routine differently. For example, some of staffers may show great initiative while others simply wait for assignments to come to them. Still others avoid taking risks maybe out of concern that their ideas may not yield the desired results. Often employees areRead… Read more »
Office politics is an inevitable part of work life. And unfortunately, avoiding it altogether, or pretending to be above it, is nearly impossible and likely won’t help you move through the ranks. But this doesn’t necessarily have to be negative, as long as you know how to navigate the system. Ultimately, office politics is allRead… Read more »
By Stacy Surla The environment we work in matters. It gives us agency – the ability to affect things with our actions. As user experience professionals, it’s important for us to think about transforming the business – our environment – so Design Doing can happen. IA as commodity is stupid Let’s consider Jane, an informationRead… Read more »
Managing a micromanaging boss can bring results, though it’s not likely to be fast. With patience and an understanding boss, however, you may be able to salvage the relationship.
#GovLove is spreading this week. Send your co-worker the punny valentine of your dreams. direct.govloop.com/gov-vday-cards1 Love and government make strange bedfellows. What if the object of your infatuation happens to work for the government? These Valentine’s Day cards can help you win their love. There’s a lot of variety in these Valentine’s Day cards — you can find one justRead… Read more »