In our blog series addressing meetings, including the Meeting Before the Meeting (MBM) and the Meeting After the Meeting (MAM), we recently addressed the topic of horrible meetings.

It’s easy to be down on meetings, but there is hope, and I have proof. Here it is.

I recently attended an ALL-DAY meeting that startled – kind of even shocked — me. Here’s what happened:

• Nobody checked out, interrupted, texted, surfed, Tweeted or otherwise attempted to multi-task.
• People listened. Deeply and attentively.
• People shared their honest thoughts – their truths. No holding back, false diplomacy or honesty after the meeting

… Read the rest

GovSupervisor is pleased to publish the second part of our interview with Stewart Liff. You can read the first installment of the interview here.

What do you think the impact of Gen Y workers entering the federal workplace will be?

SL: They are a horse of a different color as they have grown up in a new world. Social media is an important part of their world. They are more accustomed to communicating via text message than over the phone. They are much more computer savvy than the previous generation, and more comfortable working in a virtual environment.

They … Read the rest

GovSupervisor is pleased to publish the first of a two part interview with Stewart Liff. Stewart is a human resources management expert, author and consultant, who has held many high-level positions throughout his distinguished four-decade career with the federal government. During his most recent assignment, he managed the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Los Angeles Regional Office, which employed over 400 people. His books include Managing Government Employees, Managing Your Government Career, The Complete Guide to Hiring and Firing a Government Employee, and his latest,  Improving the Performance of Government Employees.

We connected with Stewart on April … Read the rest

As a manager, can you lead?

Today, this question is more than academic—or even optional. Relentless external demands being placed on organizations are forcing managers to complement their management capabilities with all-new leadership skills. What used to work well enough in management in stable, predictable, resource-rich times is unraveling amidst the intensifying pressures that nearly all organizations face.

These forces are internal, as well. Employees— particularly younger employees—want and expect much more than traditional management command-and-control techniques. There is a palpable sense of desire for true leadership.  These two tectonic forces have forced the issue.

So the real question is: … Read the rest

… Read the rest

… Read the rest