Ideas

Measuring for management

Steve Kelman is impressed with how today's senior federal civilian and military managers approach performance data.

Ideas

Making an apology

On a trip to Taiwan, Steve Kelman reflects on the importance of apologies.

Ideas

Lessons from Taiwan's rise to dominate the computer chip industry

Steve Kelman notes that an assertive industrial policy can yield big wins for governments willing to invest and manage their investments.

Ideas

Let's not cancel TikTok

Steve Kelman argues that First Amendment rights come ahead of vaguely articulated national security concerns when it comes to the China-owned social media app.

Ideas

The DHS Procurement Innovation Lab is still busy

Steve Kelman looks at how advisory downselects pioneered helped speed up a key FEMA acquisition – and how other agencies can benefit.

Ideas

Loving guns, hating the government

In the wake of recent mass shootings, Steve Kelman explores the reasons why some are resistant to assault weapons bans and how it may stem from an aversion to the federal government.

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My COVID – and a thank you to our scientists and our government

Steve Kelman says he owes a debt of gratitude for a relatively mild encounter with the coronavirus.

Ideas

Signs that 'faceless bureaucrats' helped mitigate the impact of Hurricane Ian

A look at cities and towns in the path of Hurricane Ian that escaped devastation points to the value of modern building codes – and the officials behind their implementation.

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A U.S diplomatic organization that works

How a short video speaks volumes about current U.S. approaches to diplomacy in China.

Ideas

Moderates of the world, unite!

The time may have come for normally reserved political centrists to raise their voices.

Ideas

Coding it Forward fellows share their stories

Two college students planning careers in tech told Steve Kelman why they chose to prioritize government service.

Cybersecurity

GenCyber: NSA sets up summer camps to teach kids to hack

Steve Kelman finds the normally secretive agency's camps an intriguing way to offer a taste of cybersecurity careers to middle and high school students.

Ideas

Customer service at the National Security Agency

Steve Kelman finds a helping hand in the highly secretive spy shop.

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Steve Kelman reports from his 50th college reunion

After a two-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Harvard College class of 1970 got the chance to reconnect.

Ideas

A hopeful update on the President's Management Agenda

Steve Kelman says there's a lot to like in the Biden administration's approaches to improving citizen satisfaction, employee engagement and acquisition reform

Ideas

Should the FDA have done more months ago about an impending baby formula shortage?

Steve Kelman asks whether any well-placed Food and Drug Administration officials could have anticipated the current baby formula shortage.

Ideas

Good decision, bad outcome

Steve Kelman shares an important lesson from the smartest person he knows.

Ideas

Storytelling and slide decks

Steve Kelman shares ideas about how to inject narrative techniques into your humdrum PowerPoint presentations.