Ideas

Practical ideas for managing polarization at work

Steve Kelman flags a paper that suggests that a "receptive mindset" can help bridge polarization gaps inside organizations.

Ideas

Non-traditional contractors grow up

The Digital Services Coalition, a trade association representing non-traditional IT contractors, is out with a new strategic plan.

Ideas

Performance measurement is alive and well

Steve Kelman reviews the current slate of the Biden administration's priority performance goals and corrects the record about the use of performance management.

Ideas

Procurement isn't always just about procurement -- a tale from Ukraine

Steve Kelman steps back from the news of the day to examine a key aspect of the democratic transformation in Ukraine since the country's peaceful revolution in 2014.

Modernization

Is performance measurement a fad that has now come and gone?

Steve Kelman warns that a constant priority under the previous four presidents is getting far less attention from the Biden administration.

People

A ‘friend from the city’ making her mark on government contracting

Steve Kelman reports on a new addition to the cohort of non-traditional government contractors.

People

Note to managers: A little recognition goes a long way

Steve Kelman shares research on the impact a simple thank-you note can have with the workforce.

Acquisition

A non-traditional IT contractor looks a gift horse in the mouth

Steve Kelman checks in with Agile Six, and that firm's efforts to adapt to labor rates on a major VA contract.

People

The Biden war on administrative burdens

Steven Kelman calls attention to new efforts to reduce red tape.

People

First thoughts on the new President's Management Agenda

Steve Kelman worries that politics may be be too prominent in the Biden administration's blueprint for management reform.

People

Young civic tech star featured in Boston Globe

Steve Kelman revisits the work Chris Kuang is doing to bring recent grads into government tech roles.

Digital Government

The brighter side of Facebook

Steve Kelman doesn't dispute Facebook's problems with disinformation and extremism, but he notes that the social media platform can also produce real dialogue and respect -- if one is willing to put in the effort.

Digital Government

A government IT 'public benefit corporation' works to benefit the public

Steve Kelman checks in with Nava on the efforts to balance profitable business and civic-minded federal contracting.