Organizational Miscommunication? There’s a Good Way to Avoid It.
It's all too easy for team members to misunderstand something. Effective leaders know the value of the "pre-brief."
Authors
Russ Linden is a management consultant, educator and author. His major areas of expertise include change management, performance improvement and collaboration. He has written five books, his most recent being Leading Across Boundaries: Creating Collaborative Agencies in a Networked World (Jossey-Bass, 2010).
His clients have included several intelligence, natural-resources and defense agencies; the departments of State, Treasury, Interior, Veterans Affairs and Education; more than 40 state and local government agencies; and nonprofits in the U.S. and Israel.
A Management Mantra for Turbulent Times: 'Be Quick, But Don't Hurry'
It's critical for public leaders to take the time to distinguish the signal from the noise.
A Model for Agility in the Public Sector
Search and rescue task forces need to deploy at a moment's notice, and they have to be ready for any challenges they may encounter.
The Question Governments Need to Ask: How Are We Doing?
There is a range of customer-feedback tools, including very simple ones.
Giving Public Employees the Power to Use Their Judgment
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Avoiding Another Charlottesville
There is plenty that local officials can do to avert the kind of deadly violence that erupted in the Virginia city.
The Agility That Governments Need for a Disruptive Age
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Sexual Wrongdoing in the Government Workplace: the Leadership Challenge
Despite all the media coverage, assault and harassment remain too common. There's a lot that public leaders could be doing.
When Performance Measures Go Horribly Wrong
They have a powerful influence. But unrealistic, unreachable goals can produce unethical behavior.
The Difficult Art of Responding to Public Criticism
When accusations are flying or scandal erupts, it's crucial to get the initial response right.
When the Heroes Are Also the Victims
PTSD is common among those who respond to disasters and other emergencies. It's hard to deal with, but there are ways to help them.
You Won the Election. What Do You Do Now?
It takes a lot of energy to get elected. But that's the time to think about how to accomplish things once in office.
Pope Francis, Change Agent
There's a lot that we all can learn about leadership from him.
Public Employees and the Path to Resilience
Knowing your organization's story and why it's important can go a long way toward helping workers cope with change.
Public Projects and the Optimism Trap
Rosy, unrealistic scenarios just cause trouble down the road. It's far better for managers not to deceive their leaders -- or themselves.
Sexual Assault at UVA: 4 Lessons in Crisis Leadership
There are better ways to handle a situation like the one that has ignited a firestorm at the University of Virginia.
When the Best Intentions Lead to Disaster
The VA scandal has its roots in two related management failures. Government leaders everywhere should keep them in mind.
You Can’t Manage a Secret
Creating a culture of openness and candor is critical to organizational success. It takes a strong, concerted effort by leaders.
Innovation and Government's Fear of Failure
When it comes to trying something new in the public sector, we're especially averse to risk. But there are ways to gain support for these kinds of initiatives.
The Dilemmas of Leading in a VUCA World
Today's turbulent environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity means new challenges for government managers and policymakers. There are ways to cope with them.