Human Resources
How We Help You Achieve: DEIA Executive Order
We’ve developed a new course, Exploring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, that combines our existing DEIA training with new content that will help your organization adhere to the latest updates in DEIA policy. This course will provide an overview of diversity and inclusion principles while emphasizing their importance for fulfilling agency missions. The course is now open for registration on the website!
read moreGoal Based Retirement: A Reference Guide
If you know you’re ready to retire and have all your financial planning out of the way, you think you may be done. But do you know how you’re going to spend your time? Where you’ll put your energy?
read moreProviding World-Class Customer Service for Federal HR Professionals
Consider these 6 questions to determine how you can ensure exceptional customer service from HR professionals at your federal agency.
read moreTrust — The Supervisor’s Challenge in the World of Teleworking
Building trust is a two-way challenge. For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic has opened doors to the teleworking for the first time. Supervisors need to allow telecommuting relationships to evolve naturally.
read moreInsights Gained from Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future
This week, Management Concepts had the honor of co-sponsoring Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future, hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) where a panel of Federal workforce experts shared their experiences and insights on ways to recruit, engage, and retain talented people for public service. After the initial introductions, Debbie Eshelman, Managing Director of Management Concepts, facilitated the panel discussion. Highlights include:
read moreHow Important are Soft Skills when Recruiting for Federal IT Positions?
It might seem that every Federal agency is searching for potential IT candidates. Not only does the President’s Management Agenda call for modernizing IT and optimizing data utilization, but also raising standards for the government workforce. This combination creates a tall order for HR professionals who support Federal agencies. While each agency remains laser-focused on its mission, it must also find the time and financial resources to upskill, reskill, and recruit people who will be facilitating their IT modernization transformation.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part V: Measuring Success
In this five-part series, we talked about how you can help identify and assess leadership gaps within your organization and through introspection. We also covered how Federal Agencies can best avoid mission-critical leadership gaps through effective succession planning. In each discussion, we highlighted the importance of setting specific goals and emphasized that maintaining flexibility is crucial to achieving those goals. Now, in this final installment, we will discuss ways gap-closing success can be measured and potentially improved.
read moreQualities of the Ideal Federal Leader
One of the three key drivers of transformation named in the 2019 President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is realigning human capital to serve America’s priorities for the 21st century. While there is a significant focus on filling technology gaps, several authorities have defined ideal qualities for leaders in the Federal Government.
read moreThe Secrets of Successful Workforce Planning
A significant segment of our workforce is becoming eligible for retirement as birth rates are at an all-time low. Add to that a wave of uncertain budget and economic conditions in our future. This combination presents a very real challenge for public and private industry. Let’s explore the ways we can ensure our success through workforce planning:
read moreWhat is the Origin of Labor Day?
September 2, 2019, marks the 125th anniversary of Labor Day as a national holiday. This celebration originated with acknowledging the contributions and achievements of American workers associated with labor unions. Today, many people view Labor Day as a day off, time for barbeque picnics, and a parade. For most of us, it marks the end of summer when the swimming pools close, kids go back to school, and let’s not forget the Labor Day sales!
read moreMentoring is Essential for Career Growth
Over the past ten years, I have facilitated more than 50 speed mentor pairing sessions for government and nonprofit organizations. I’m always amazed at the way these short interactions often lead to lasting connections that contribute to tremendous growth opportunities for participating mentors and mentees.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part III: Within Your Organization
Although leaders may be quite effective in their current roles, they may not be well equipped to handle changes that occur due to new requirements. As each Administration introduces initiatives, there is a need to identify and address gaps between current skills and knowledge and future leadership requirements. In the first part of this series on leadership gaps, we discussed the process of identifying and assessing leadership gaps. In the second part, we dove into the process of identifying and addressing your leadership gaps. Now, in part three, we will explore ways to close leadership gaps within your organization.
read moreLeading as a Courageous Follower
In The Courageous Follower, author Ira Chaleff proclaims that the days of all-powerful leaders and subservient followers are long gone, if they ever existed at all. He makes the case that neither leaders nor followers can reach optimum effectiveness without the other, especially in an environment where technology and information are constantly changing. The following is my interpretation of how Chaleff’s Dimensions of Courageous Followership can be embodied in the workplace by exhibiting the courage to:
read more5 Tips for Avoiding Prohibited Professional Practices
In the private sector, we see companies soar or plummet after a crucial management decision becomes known. Their mere survival is closely tied to the public perception of difficult choices. For the Federal Government, the stakes are even higher because American taxpayers finance their work. Each agency or organization has a specific purpose. If any of them fail to succeed, we all lose. Here are a few tips to help you avoid HR compliance missteps.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part II: Introspection
In part I of this series, we talked about how to identify the skills required to fulfill your agency’s mission, determine to what extent these qualities exist among your leaders, and define the difference between the two in preparation for addressing leadership gaps. And most likely, as you reviewed the competencies that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) considers essential, you may have recognized that you, as a leader, or prospective leader, can improve in certain areas. In this part, we will look at ways to identify and address your own strengths and weaknesses related to leadership.
read moreBecoming an Extraordinary Informal Leader
What is an informal leader? Whether you think leaders are born or made, we all are leaders and can develop leadership skills throughout our career lifecycles. Being in a position of authority has nothing to do with being a leader. I was an informal leader and in fact, only held a management position for 1-1/2 years of my 27-year Federal Government career.
read more3 Challenges to Modernizing Federal Government IT
Unlocking untapped potential within Federal data will help grow the economy, increase efficiency in government, and better address complex problems using data-driving approaches. To stay competitive globally, it is imperative that we make data more usable and accessible.” Suzette Kent, Federal chief information officer.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part I: Identify and Assess
Nothing is constant but change. While the qualities and skill-levels of your organization’s leaders may have been top-rate when they were appointed, constant innovation and evolving priorities can transform a well-equipped leadership team into one that struggles to meet basic requirements. On which end of the spectrum does your agency’s leadership reside? Let’s explore the process of identification and assessment.
read moreFour Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Leader
The value of Emotional Intelligence (EI), or “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others,” is increasingly being used as a cognitive leadership tool to enhance the effectiveness of communication in the public and private sectors. In our recent webinar, Emotional Intelligence, The Use of Emotional Intelligence for Effective Relationships, we defined EI and described ways it impacts our daily lives. Let’s take a closer look at four of the characteristics that are common among emotionally intelligent leaders and explore steps we can take to improve our own EI as leaders:
read moreHow to Make the Most of the New OPM Federal IT Hiring Authorities
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a new final rule giving Federal Government agencies guidance for delegating the authority to hire new talent for high-demand and critical-shortage positions in IT and cyber talent quicker and faster through a new Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
read moreThe Future of Federal Workforce: Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices Part III: Federal Workforce Culture
As we discussed in Part I and Part II, the onslaught of technological advances we have experienced in recent years has forever changed the way we live and work. In this final part of our series, we will examine how panel experts have addressed workplace culture issues that directly impact the Federal workforce.
read moreCelebrate Public Service Recognition Week May 5-11, 2019
An estimated 7.11 million Americans have chosen public service careers. How does their work impact our lives, our communities, and the entire nation? Public Service Recognition Week, May 5-11, is dedicated to providing recognition for public servants, whose hard work and valiant efforts enhance our quality of life.
read moreEmotional Intelligence Webinar May 8, 2019:
Whether You’re in the Executive Suite or Not — This Session is for You
If you are like me, you realize maintaining effective relationships is not easy. Think back to your ineffective relationships: what role did emotions play? In our professional lives, unhealthy relationships affect team chemistry, advancement, and even engagement. In fact, Gallup estimates employee disengagement cost U.S. companies $450-$550 billion a year — not exactly pocket change. Therefore, how does being emotionally-mindful set effective relationships apart from ineffective ones?
read moreManagement & Leadership Coaching in the Federal Government
When you hear the word “coach,” what’s the first image that pops into your head? For many, it’s a throwback to high school sports, where a coach doesn’t just help you win games — a coach helps you grow as an athlete. For others, it could be someone else, like a professor in college, a musical director, a military officer, a boss, even a family member. A coach is anyone who provides guidance, fosters your growth, and helps you to succeed in your role.
read moreA Case for Enterprise Learning Solutions
Among the challenges that agencies face in meeting the reskilling and upskilling needs of the Federal workforce is the disconnect between the need for learning and development solutions and how learning is typically procured in the Federal marketplace to address those needs.
read more3 Tips for Newcomers to the Federal Workforce
Between the paperwork, acronyms, and levels of bureaucracy, the Federal workforce is a daunting field for newcomers. There are many “listicles” and websites that provide information on what to expect on your first day, year, or at any time during your tenure as a Federal employee. With that in mind, here are three tips to ease your transition.
read moreThe Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part II
The Federal Government often falls behind the curve on new technology and workplace practices. Administrative and budgetary constraints can curb innovation, while politics dictate the pace and volatility of these changes.
read moreHit the Training Bullseye: Making the Shift from LPTA
All too often, training is acquired via the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation process, not based on best value. LPTA is essentially a “good enough” evaluation—ideal for buying toner or office supplies, but inappropriate for more complex and critical purchases like learning solutions.
read moreSupporting U.S. Veterans Return to the Workforce: National Veterans’ Training Institute and Management Concepts Partnership
Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that veteran unemployment continues to trend downward. The veteran unemployment rate in December 2018 was 3.2 percent, down from 3.8 percent in December 2017, which puts their unemployment levels below that of the general U.S. population, which stands at 4 percent. It’s a bright moment amidst many dark clouds in current events see an uptick for this deserving segment of our population.
read more2019 PMA Fast Fact
Modernize your skillsets today to help reach your 2019 professional goals! Visit Management Concepts
read moreRockin’ Your Resiliency During Tumultuous Times: Government Shutdown Tips for Heading Back to Work
If there’s one thing I know about Federal employees, it’s that they’re resilient. With twenty years of public service under my belt and working alongside the Federal workforce within six different branches of government including during and after 9/11 – I have seen first-hand the dedication and drive fellow Federal employees have for overcoming the toughest challenges our nation faces.
read moreThe Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part I
Reskilling and upskilling is a practice that involves training employees to complete their job to the best of their ability. It can take many shapes and forms. In the manufacturing workplace, it could be training staff to use new computers to improve manufacturing efficiency and standards. In an office setting, it could be sending employees to conferences and classes to learn new skills.
read moreFederal HR Skills Tested in 2017
The Year 2017, is now in our rear-view mirror and for Federal Human Resource practitioners, it was a year of highs and lows. At the end of 2017 HR practitioners were still trying to create innovative ways to deal with leadership turnover, technology upgrades, the streamlining administrative systems, labor and management concerns, and employee demographics shifts, employee retention/engagement, to highlight a few.
read moreTime to Thrive: Empowering Millennials in the Workforce
Every day there are countless articles and studies casting aspersions on millennials. This cohort of young adults has been blamed for the declining viability of chain restaurants, gyms, diamonds, and even the National Football League.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Kimberly Steide
Kimberly Steide serves as Human Capital Planning and HR Stat Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Treasury. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…
read moreWorkforce Planning Turns Uncertainty into Stability and Mission Success
How can HR professionals impact positive change with hiring restrictions and budget cuts on the horizon? The fact of the matter is: now’s a better time than ever for Federal HR in each agency to find (or create) opportunities to re-engage and re-focus the workforce for mission success.
read moreKeep a Proactive HR Approach in the Face of Reform
Regardless of what guidance comes from OMB this fall, agencies stand to benefit from taking a refreshed, proactive approach to workforce planning. With workforce reductions (aka reduction in workforce, or RIF) on the way, it becomes even more critical to retain and develop talented employees, and developing personnel from within ensures strategic initiatives are kept on track.
read moreHiring Freeze? Time to Thaw the Organization’s Human Capital Plan
HR staff and leadership at all levels can benefit from viewing this freeze as an opportunity to take an internal assessment of the programs that present the greatest human capital need. This will further prepare organizations to manage through the workforce reduction plan requested by the January 23 Presidential Memorandum (which, according to the PM, is due from OMB within 90 days of January 23).
read moreThe Presidential Transition and Beyond: HR Skills for an Even Stronger Federal Workforce
With the Presidential transition approaching, change is around the corner for over 4 million civilian and military employees in the Federal government. As in any organization, HR’s function is to support transitions in a way that maintains a ready and productive workforce. The Presidential transition, like other leadership transitions, presents both opportunity and uncertainty. Here are 5 challenges and opportunities for leadership and HR to take on in the coming months.
read more3 Keys to Applying for a Federal Job
With more than 2 million jobs, the Federal government is the largest US employer with many thousands of vacancies at any time. The average annual Federal workers …
read moreFederal Spotlight Recap: OPM’s Rebecca Ayers and Your Next Career Decision
In her Federal Spotlight interview in November, OPM’s Rebecca Ayers shared her insights on a rewarding career and building a satisfying career in the Federal …
read morePerformance Review Season
The national conventions have wrapped up but campaign season is far from over. Everywhere you turn you are inundated with the latest breaking political news…
read moreFLSA Update: Overtime Pay
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs minimum wage and overtime pay for full and part-time employees in the public and private sector. On May 17, 2016…
read moreDo You Have What You Need for Succession Planning?
31 percent of Federal employees will be eligible to retire by 2017. Succession planning is complex, though, and retirement is only part of the picture…
read moreHiring Excellence: Using Four Hiring Authorities to Attract Top Talent
Finding and taking a prospective applicant through an organization’s hiring process is no easy task. So, in what ways can human resource professionals and managers…
read moreTalent Analytics: 2016 Hot Spots
While each HR or human capital department must focus on the needs of their specific agency, in 2016 several factors point to the need for quality data analytics in HR…
read moreWhat Would It Take for HR to Be a Role Model for Culture Alignment in Your Agency?
Undoubtedly, you have heard the expression “HR is a critical strategic partner to the success of a Federal organization.” Yet, in reality, you find many HR policies…
read moreHow to Recruit and Retain the Best Talent with the 3Rs
For Federal HR professionals and managers planning their staffing, there is good news to help you ensure that highly-qualified employees fill key government positions…
read moreCan Federal Agencies Get Ready for HR Tech?
The beginning of the New Year is a chance to kick off fresh initiatives that benefit the Federal HR workforce. Emerging HR technologies are focused on supporting…
read moreStrengthen Your Nontraditional HR Skills
HR is changing, and organizations are discovering new needs, new functions, and new responsibilities in this field—not that anyone rightly thought it was a field…
read moreAsk the CHCO: SSA’s Dr. Reginald F. Wells
The latest “Ask the CHCO” interview with Dr. Reginald F. Wells, the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Human Resources of the Social Security Administration…
read moreHow HR Can Support Better IDPs
Although Individual Development Plans (IDPs) are used throughout the Federal government, their usefulness varies greatly based not only on how they are used …
read moreAsk the CHCO: GSA’s Antonia Harris
Federal News Radio recently interviewed Antonia T. Harris, Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) for General Services Administration (GSA), as part of our Ask the CHCO…
read moreThe New Meaning of Jobs and Careers
I grew up in a small town in central Florida with an economy driven, in large part, by agriculture – cattle ranching, farming, and citrus growers were the economic…
read moreFrom QUIET to LOUD: Military Personnel Reform
A Military Times article published last month reported that the Pentagon is quietly pushing for military personnel reform. While this is an exciting development…
read moreAsk the CHCO: FLRA’s Vicki Barber
On this week’s edition of Federal News Radio’s Ask the CHCO series, reporter Lauren Larson interviewed Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)’s Chief Human Resources Officer Vicki Barber. Ms. Barber took…
read moreThe Future Generation Workplace
Last Friday, I attended the session, The Future Generation Workplace, led by Mika Cross, Director of Work/Life and Flexible Workplace Strategy at the Consumer Financial…
read moreConsiderations for Building a Strong Coaching Culture
So you’re thinking about bringing coaching into your organization, but not sure where to start. How do you know what kind of coaching is…
read moreIndividual Talent Acquisition Skills Key to Solving the Government’s Recruiting Woes
On Monday, The Office of Personnel Management Director, Katherine Archuleta, revealed an ambitious, data-driven approach to “untie the knots” in Federal hiring and…
read moreManaging the Diverse Needs of Expecting and New Parents in the Workplace
A few weeks ago, the President issued a memorandum “Modernizing Federal Leave Policies for Childbirth, Adoption and Foster Care to Recruit and Retain Talent…
read moreStop Feeling Overwhelmed! Three Questions You Should Ask When Weighing Leadership Development Options
read moreHow Do You Know When You’ve Closed the Gap Between Strategic Goals and Workforce Capabilities?
read moreManagement Concepts Introduces Eight New Training Courses Designed for the Federal HR Professional
read moreThe Role of Fairness in the Workplace
Fairness activates the reward center in our brains. Inequity activates disgust and an automatic threat response in our brains. What role do you play as a leader to create the optimal conditions for success as it relates to your staff’s perception of fairness in achieving the team’s objectives?
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