Ask the Fedcoach - Talking leadership with Tom Fox of the Partnership for Public Service.

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 08/17/2012

HR leaders make inroads amid turbulent times in government

By Tom Fox

A recent report surveyed the views of the government’s Chief Human Capital Officers.

By Tom Fox | 02:17 PM ET, 08/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 02:26 PM ET, 08/10/2012

The threat of sequestion: What federal leaders should be doing right now

By Tom Fox

As a federal leader, here’s how you can best manage while the cloud of budget cuts looms.

By Tom Fox | 02:26 PM ET, 08/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, federal workers

Posted at 03:56 PM ET, 08/03/2012

GSA ‘First Fridays’: A lesson on speeding up problem-solving in government agencies

By Tom Fox

There are many naysayers who question the ability of government agencies to cut through the red tape and innovate, but positive change is happening at many agencies.

By Tom Fox | 03:56 PM ET, 08/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, federal workers, innovation, gsa

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 07/26/2012

How an Olympic flop can inspire innovation

By Tom Fox

Let’s borrow a lesson from the Olympics to help us get more creative in government.

By Tom Fox | 11:32 AM ET, 07/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 07/13/2012

Tips for disconnecting on vacation

By Tom Fox

This may sound counterintuitive, but part of the problem may be that we’re not treating vacation enough like work.

By Tom Fox | 02:24 PM ET, 07/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 07/06/2012

The best summer movies that pack a leadership punch

By Tom Fox

My 10-year-old son is an avid movie buff, so I’ve had the opportunity to see many of the newest films and think about which ones share the best leadership stories.

By Tom Fox | 09:45 AM ET, 07/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: movies, leadership

Posted at 09:52 AM ET, 06/28/2012

How to do the impossible: Cut through red tape in federal government

By Tom Fox

A few innovative agencies have already used this approach, and I’ve seen the results first hand.

By Tom Fox | 09:52 AM ET, 06/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 06/22/2012

How to avoid negative headlines and stay out of trouble

By Tom Fox

Many headlines are reserved for some sort of waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement of federal funds.

By Tom Fox | 01:28 PM ET, 06/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 06/18/2012

The federal Pathways Programs are a-comin’: Low-cost ways to prepare your agency

By Tom Fox

For the first time in decades, our government is launching a new set of programs to improve the recruiting and hiring of college students and recent graduates.

By Tom Fox | 09:25 AM ET, 06/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 05:03 PM ET, 06/05/2012

How to make your government agency more innovative

By Tom Fox

Innovation in government is possible, and so is the ability to get help for it.

By Tom Fox | 05:03 PM ET, 06/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, innovation, federal government

Posted at 05:18 PM ET, 06/01/2012

Smart leadership can ease federal workers’ dissatisfaction with pay

By Tom Fox

Federal employee satisfaction with pay was down 6.1 percent during 2011, the most significant drop in almost 10 years.

By Tom Fox | 05:18 PM ET, 06/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, federal workers, government

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 05/25/2012

Great summer reads for federal leaders

By Tom Fox

Here are five books to add to your packing list that offer new leadership ideas, tools and techniques.

By Tom Fox | 02:29 PM ET, 05/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 10:51 AM ET, 05/24/2012

The fragile health of government’s human resources

By Tom Fox

The federal government’s human resources community is like the proverbial shoemaker’s children.

By Tom Fox | 10:51 AM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 10:16 AM ET, 05/11/2012

From President Obama to Secretary Clinton, words of thanks for federal employees

By Tom Fox

From President Obama to Secretary Clinton, many leaders in Washington took the time to recognize public service.

By Tom Fox | 10:16 AM ET, 05/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 05:45 PM ET, 05/07/2012

Ideas for how federal leaders can mark Public Service Recognition Week

By Tom Fox

What are you doing to thank and recognize your employees during this week? Here are some ideas.

By Tom Fox | 05:45 PM ET, 05/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 04:12 PM ET, 04/26/2012

Improving your agency’s leadership clout among employees

By Tom Fox

I’ve got some good and bad news for federal leaders.

By Tom Fox | 04:12 PM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 05:45 PM ET, 04/19/2012

Amid government scandals with GSA and Secret Service, advice for federal leaders

By Tom Fox

Here’s some advice for keeping your team engaged and committed amid the scandal frenzy.

By Tom Fox | 05:45 PM ET, 04/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 01:57 PM ET, 04/05/2012

Lessons from the GSA conference scandal

By Tom Fox

You work in a fishbowl. Be mindful that you are accountable to the American taxpayer and that somebody is likely watching.

By Tom Fox | 01:57 PM ET, 04/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 05:02 PM ET, 03/29/2012

A cheat sheet for engaging employees

By Tom Fox

To help boost the morale and job satisfaction of your employees, here‘s some tips from the DOT playbook.

By Tom Fox | 05:02 PM ET, 03/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 03:25 PM ET, 03/22/2012

Fixing diversity gaps in the federal workforce

By Tom Fox

A new EEOC report spotlights specific areas that need improvement. Federal leaders, take note.

By Tom Fox | 03:25 PM ET, 03/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, federal workers

Posted at 02:25 PM ET, 03/16/2012

New report: Among Senior Executive Service, little job mobility

By Tom Fox

A new report by McKinsey and the Partnership for Public Service shows that only 8 percent of the SES have worked at more than one agency

By Tom Fox | 02:25 PM ET, 03/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, federal

Posted at 12:57 PM ET, 03/12/2012

Readers’ advice on workplace bullying

By Tom Fox

I received many responses to my recent column, including some excellent advice on how to put an end to workplace bulling.

By Tom Fox | 12:57 PM ET, 03/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 05:44 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Bullying at work

By Tom Fox

One federal employee asks for advice about standing up to a manager who frequently crosses the line.

By Tom Fox | 05:44 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, advice

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 02/27/2012

Doing your employees’ work for them?

By Tom Fox

Upward delegation is what happens when, as a leader, you assign a task to a member of your team only to have it deflected back to you. Here’s how to turn the problem around.

By Tom Fox | 10:52 AM ET, 02/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership, federal workers, government

Posted at 01:48 PM ET, 02/21/2012

Do women feel less empowered in your federal agency?

By Tom Fox

On issues of fairness and empowerment in the federal workplace, men are still more satisfied than women. Here’s what to do about it.

By Tom Fox | 01:48 PM ET, 02/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 02/14/2012

Convincing a cynical workforce that change is necessary

By Tom Fox

After years of being told to “do more with less” using the latest management fads, how do you convince employees that change is really necessary?

By Tom Fox | 12:00 PM ET, 02/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Posted at 03:09 PM ET, 02/06/2012

How to manage a millennial

By Tom Fox

A federal supervisor asks about marshaling the energy and enthusiasm from a still inexperienced workforce.

By Tom Fox | 03:09 PM ET, 02/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: federal leadership, federal workers

Posted at 09:34 AM ET, 06/28/2011

How can I communicate more effectively with my supervisor?

By Tom Fox

This week’s question comes from a federal employee who wants to engage better with supervisors.

By Tom Fox | 09:34 AM ET, 06/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: leadership

Ask the Fedcoach: leadership