Civic Engagement: Lessons from the Medical Examiner
Explores how the work of a public official in one specialty area can improve the community in many other ways.
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Employees as Free Agents
Highly skilled employees are following the lead of sports superstars in a changing relationship of long-time loyalty to one employer.
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Managing by the Seat of Your Pants
Supervisors and managers can no longer "navigate" the complex waters of public administration without aids and tools to help them move with greater accuracy and safety than simply "winging it."
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Hubris - Arrogant Pride
"Public enemy No. 1" in causing trouble at work is often poor behavior resulting from arrogance on the part of managers or employees. This article reviews the effects of treatment for the problem.
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Godzilla the Manager
This article discusses the behaviors common to the legendary film monster and certain managers whose behavior is also destructive in the workplace.
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Friends and Enemies
Changes in administrative structure such as managed care in health insurance have led us to increasingly confuse relationships at work. This article looks at that phenomenon.
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Stereo Thinking
Looks at the risks of stereotyping and the importance of thinking and acting as a manager with a sense of perspective.
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Cast Members From "Night of the Living Dead"
Reviews the effects of employees who appear to be lifeless "zombies" at the office and what managers can do to prevent a spreading problem.
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Weapons of Mass Construction
Discusses the value of proactive HR practices in making a positive difference in an organization.
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"It's a Wonderful Life"
Following the scenario of the famous movie, what would an organization be like if there had never been an HR?
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Don't Take the Human Out of Communications
Voice Mail and Automated Attendant Answering Machines can be efficient but they can also change human interaction in the wrong way.
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Anniversaries
The value of celebrating success and milestones in organizations.
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Simple Gifts
The positive impact of an unexpected act of kindness by an employee can be used as a learning tool for managers and employees about the value of positive "customer" relations and of exceeding customer expectations.
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In the Eye of the Storm
Written from the Emergency Operations Center during Hurricane Floyd, this article looks at how the behavior of a team changes during an actual emergency and what managers can learn from this "metamorphosis".
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The Sixth Sense
Discusses the presence of "gut feelings" which we all have about things which might be heading in the wrong direction and how to harness that "sixth sense" for the benefit of a manager and employees.
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Thanksgiving
Reflections on the value of this wonderful holiday as a reminder about being a thankful manager.
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Religion In The Work Place
Explores the interaction between religious expression and practical operational issues in a public agency. How a manager balances employee religious dress, comments, and proselytizing with agency work.
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Egosuction
A humorous but valid need for a procedure to "cure" an overdose of ego - a malady which affects many elected and appointed officials. What are the HR Doctor's treatments?
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Customized Mass Production
If we can build a computer to each customer's exact specifications, but use mass production efficiencies, how can we harness the same thought and service delivery approaches in public administration?
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The Real Y2K Virus
Looks at the inability of many managers and many agencies to plan ahead longer than the next Council meeting, or the next fiscal year and the implications of this phenomenon.
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"The HR ER"
A well developed capacity to manage acute, sudden, critical incidents is a vital component of a modern public agency. This articles describes how to set up an "HR ER" and why it's important.
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"Mirrors Without Smoke"
Performance Appraisals are very important tools which can make agency employees more responsive, recognized, and rewarded. Unfortunately and ironically, they can also get the agency into great trouble when they aren't taken seriously, aren't job related, or are ignored. This article offers ideas and tips in the management of effective evaluations.
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"DOL - We Love You"
The administration of Human Resources is profoundly affected by the actions and interpretations, or lack of them, by the federal Department of Labor. This article "gently" takes DOL to task for making life much more difficult for HR professionals.
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"Nano-management"
Some managers can't break the chains of "micro-managing". In fact, some carry the interfering style too far. This article looks at this phenomenon in an age past "micro" and into "nano" technology.
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The Four Generation Workforce
Explores the unique situation of many twenty-first century public agencies which have employees in their 80's working next to three other generations. Includes some practical tips for managers.
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Graveyard Of Lost Words
What ever happened to "zero based budgeting", "TQM", "millenium", "empower", etc. Is there really a secret burial ground with memorials to the words and the management fads of yesterday?
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Please Pass The 'Catch Up"
Managers, and others for that matter can never seem to catch up with paper work, memos to read, working late, commuting, etc. This articles explores this phenomenon and makes suggestions to help stay on top of things.
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Rust In Peace
Why many agencies create a "Department of Grazing" for employees with performance or behavior problems instead of constructively confronting the weaknesses.
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"Staying" Power
Explores issues in retention of employees in traditional HR Systems during periods of low unemployment and private sector competition.
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The Border Patrol
The HR Doctor looks at the relationship between the imperative to innovate and take reasonable risks and an over-reliance on Auditors who "patrol the borders" of convention and may end up "protecting" the organization from positive change.
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Foreseeability Analysis
Administrators, and certainly Auditors, are very good at looking at outcomes after the fact! This article highlights the importance of a deliberate focus on "anticipation" and the need for predictive "foreseeability" analysis by policy makers.
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Free Refills
Customer service excellence includes providing some "extras" which old style bureaucracies often fail to provide. How to think competitively, in a service delivery world with increasing options, can help a manager institute positive change.
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The "HR Daughter" - Passing & Sharing The Torch
The HR Doctor congratulates "HR Daughter" Elyse as she celebrates completion of her MPA degree and her interest in HR and Public Administration. The "HR Daddy" offers advice to help her - and every son and daughter - enjoy career success.
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I Never Metaphor I didn't Like
The HR Doctor describes the power and enjoyment of metaphorical training with examples which can be used by any agency.
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"He Should Never Have Been Hired In The First Place!"
The HR Doctor looks at negligent hiring liabilities and what managers can do to reduce the risks.
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"He Should Have Known This A Long Time Ago!"
Second of two articles on negligent hiring, retention and supervision and why this is an essential area for agency action!
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Ode To Sick Leave Abusers
The HR Doctor's feeble attempt at poetry focuses on the many reasons why some people call in sick - with apologies to the great work of Shel Silverstein!
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Forensic HR
The scale is every bit as much as symbol of the HR profession as it is of the legal one. Increasingly, a new HR specialty is emerging - the Forensic HR practitioner. This article explores this direction in the profession and its impact.
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The Lone Ranger
The HR Doctor discusses the failure which can occur when managers and supervisors try to act alone when they should "get by with a little help from their friends".
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Two Ears, One Mouth
We tend to forget the value of serious, committed listening in order to pick up on the ques which can help us solve problems at work...and in life. The HR Doctor listens to "HR Daugther" and medical student Rachel as she describes the importance of hearing what patients are trying to communicate!
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"You Have Spinach Between Your Teeth"
Only a friend will tell you things which you may not really want to hear. HR can be a great friend to managers, whether or not the individual likes spinach!
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Trafficking in Public Administration
The HR Doctor offers lessons for Administrators from the middle of an ugly traffic jam.
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"So Many Decisions - So Little Time
The HR Doctor describes what occurs when big decisions are in the air, reflecting on his own job changes to share experiences with others.
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You Got To Know When To Hold Up,
Know When To Fold Up
The HR Doctor looks at the decision crossroads faced by every public administrator when a strongly held position or recommendation is rejected by elected or appointed decision-makers.
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XFL Administration
The HR Doctor stayed at the same hotel as the "Chicago Enforcers". What lessons are there to be learned from the "in your face" style of the Xtreme Football League about our society, about adopting this style of administration, and about standing behind football players in the buffet line?
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"Faith-Based" HR
The HR Doctor weighs in on the growing debate about government support for social services or other programs which are part of religious organizations. Are there Human Resource issues here?
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"Keep You Hands Out Of My Genes!"
Genetic testing in the workplace is now possible and the lawsuits, administrative complaints, union issues will be upon us! What is the debate about and what are its implications?
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The Seduction of Comfort
The HR Doctor explores the effects and the cycle of comfort, complacency, and inflexibility that harms the ability of many agencies and individuals to innovate and take positive risks.
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Real Time Management
This article explores the expectiation that managers can make instant decisions and react to changes and needs immediately, given the great availability of electronic information.
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An Honorary British HR Director
Recounts the HR Doctor's wonderful experiences as a guest of the British Society of Chief Personnel Officers and IPMA. A great deal can be learned from each other - including how much we have in common!
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e-HR"
A look at the compelling case for harnessing information systems in service to HR - as well as a candid discussion of the "troubles in River City" when such expensive systems are installed!
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It's 2 AM - Why Am I Awake?
Working the night shift and remaining productive, handling child care, and avoiding excessive unscheduled absences takes special management attention. The HR Doctor presents a "prescription" for managers to administer.
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Work Groups With An Attitude
Groups of employees sometimes develop a "persona." They may band together, feeling oppressed and engage in "group whining" or they may be regarded as a positive, "can do" group of professionals. The HR Doctor explores this phenomenon and offers advice to managers on how to affect group behavior.
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The HR Doctor Turns 100!
One hundred published articles!! The HR Doctor looks at milestones, what came before and what lies ahead in HR.
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Eyes On, Hands Off
Meddling by a manager who won't allow subordinates to grow and develop - and take risks is frustrating and drives great employees out of the organization. Join the HR Doctor in looking at the subject.
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Future Workforce Will Force Major HR Change
The HR Doctor looks to the implementation of Civil Service, Version 2.0 and discusses why a new civil service paradigm is emerging and how it differs from the current Version 1.0.
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The Denial of Victory
The terrible acts of terrorism of 9-11-01 are discussed within the context of local government and what the HR Doctor believes will be the ironic outcome for goals of the perpetrators.
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The Doctor's Poetic Insight to HR Success
The HR Doctor looks at the phenomenon of "looking backwards" at things we wish we could have done differently. What happens in a public agency when the "search for a scapegoat" is a regular event?
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FMLA - Love it and "Leave" It
Steps to help a manager Interpret and successfully "live with" the Family Medical Leave Act.
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Buenos Dias, Y'all
The HR Doctor considers the impact of language diversity on local government and on the actions and attitudes of managers.
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Hysteria 101
A look at hysteria and the concept of the "Locus of Control" as these concepts affect behavior in public agencies.
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A Day at the Raises
The HR Doctor pays tribute to the unsung heroes & heroines of the payroll staff who make things happen - often despite the best efforts of many other public administrators including Congress and the HR staff!
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The Day the County Stood Still
What can happen when e-mail gets out of control? Read this article and "always have a 'wingman'"
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Every Manager A Security Manager
The HR Doctor conducts many Security and Violence Intervention & Prevention seminars for public agencies. Learn the impacts of the September 11 tragedy on this subject. Learn about the "new imperative" which links career success with a professional's understanding of how to apply "corporate security" principles.
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The HR Olympics
Imagine the kinds of behavioral competitions which could be added to the Olympic schedule! Join the HR Doctor in a look at what will not be covered by network TV in the Winter Olympics of Public Administration.
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The Age of HR
The "stars" are lined up to make this decade the "Age of HR." There is a new revolution under way in Public Administration as significant as the one over one hundred years ago when Civil Service replaced the Spoils System. Learn what it takes to be an "HR Revolutionary."
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The "HR Spouse"
The HR Doctor recognizes the beautiful Charlotte for the role she and the spouse, significant others, family members, etc. play in being the "rock" and foundation of personal stability for Public Administrators around the country.
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The Excuse Factory
A critical look at the tendency of employees and managers to invent excuses for performance and behavior weaknesses.
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The Senior-Focused America
Preparing for a nation in which there will be more recipients than contributors to Social Security...what should public administrators do?
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"Conventional" Wisdom
The HR Doctor looks at the value of attending conferences - as well as the need for conference planners to "exceed expectations" for attendees and be sensitive to issues of cost and perception.
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Where Will the Next HR Doctors Come From?
A guest author and colleague of the HR Doctor looks at teaching, mentoring and being mentored as important steps in employee development and succession planning. The HR Doctor is humbled by Kevin Kelleher's comments and perspectives.
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Every Manager a Retention Manager
Retention of great employees is the key to success in the administration of governmental programs. In a world of increasing and intense communications for "the best and the brightest" applicants, what can an organization do to improve the chances that it will retain key staff members?
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"Shuttle" Diplomacy
The HR Doctor's recent visit to the Kennedy Space Center and a NASA briefing is put into the perspective of a public administrator. What can a local government administrator learn from the evolution of NASA as an organization?
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A Brain, Once Expanded...
The HR Doctor takes a profound quote from poet Oliver Wendell Holmes and applies it to demonstrate the value of employee development and a learning environment to successful public administration.
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Mirror, Mirror In The Desk
THe HR Doctor explores the concept of "mirror evaluation" and demonstrates its value in counseling employees - and yourself!
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Too Much Time on Their Hands
The HR Doctor looks at the inefficiencies of an "ancient" 24 hour shift schedule and explores the "inertia" behind how difficult it will be to reform the approach.
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Team Government
Goal conflict will not lead to organizational success. The HR Doctor looks at characteristics of a winning team and relates them to a "government team."
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E-Recruitment Attracts the "Best & the Brightest"
The HR Doctor looks at "e-recruitment." How should you prepare for the replacement of recruitment strategies based soley on the Sunday "want ads?"
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The "Anti-Bureaucrat"
Dinner with the 19th Century philosopher and student of organization Max Weber produces insights into how our view of "bureaucrats" has changed. How can we all become "anti-bureaucrats?" Read on...
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Re-Re-Re-Retiring
HR professionals are already experiencing the challenges of new definitions of what it means to be "retired." Joing the HR Doctor in exploring the management impacts of these changes.
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Now, Where Did I Put My Brain
The HR Doctor reviews several examples of the "death of common sense" in making some HR decisions.
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How "Healthy" is your Health Insurance?
Join the HR Doctor in a "diagnosis" of the ills plaguing the search for effective employee health insurance!
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This Bud's For You!
A tribute to 50 years of extraordinary public service by one of the HR Doctor's favorite mentors and role models, California's wonderful Bud Carpenter!
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To Form a More Perfect Union
The HR Doctor looks at the reasons behind the organizing success unions have had in government, in contrast to their steady decline in the provate sector.
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Learn As If You Were Going to Live Forever
THe HR Doctor learns a lesson, as so many others have, from UCLA's great "Wizard of Westwood" John Wooden - a lesson which can help in Public Administration.
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Prescious Moments Lost
The critical opportunities to set new employees on the best path to performance and behavior excellence at work are often lost when Orientations go astray.
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Land of the Free (Cell)
An admission of addiction to the famous, or infamous Microsoft Solitaire program leads to observations on the effects of this type of game on public administrators.
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God Save the "King"
A look at the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the standpoint of a Public Administrator.
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Department of Homland Insecurity - Forging one "Nation" Out of Separate Tribes
The HR Doctor looks at the pressures and issues which are no doubt causing insecurity among the employees of the new Homeland Security Department.
What are the lessons to be learned for any organizational merger?
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The "Dreaded" Performance Evaluation
Join the HR Doctor in a look at this most essential management process and why we avoid it, dislike it and get frustrated by it - not to mention what we can do about these problems!
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From Transact to Transform
The HR Doctor looks at the rise of "sub-specialty" professions and their connection to the end of "transactional" work.
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Counties and Call-Ups
This is the first part of a two part series on military call-ups affecting local governments. Military Leave is on every public agency "radar screen" these days. The HR Doctor, formerly known as "the HR Captain" reviews the basics for public managers.
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Coming Back Home
This is the second part of a two part series on the impact on local governmentsof military call-ups.
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HR 2040
A look ahead at life a generation from now...when the HR Daughters are nearing retirements from their several careers!
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My Malpractice Lawyer Can Beat Up Your Malpracitce Lawyer!
The HR Doctor/Daddy and The HR Daughter Medical Student look at one important aspect of the Health Insurance plague America faces!
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The HR Cat
The HR Doctor's Cat demands equal - or greater - time in public administration discussions than Kamala, the HR Dog. He gets his wish in this artical!
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Public Enemy #2
The most serious "sickness" in our society and in the administration of its government entities is "hubris" - arrogant pride...so the HR Doctor has written. This article explores another phenomenon which gets in the way of progress and success!
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Power & Uncertainty
A very important lesson about what makes a person "powerful" is shared by the HR Doctor!
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Overnight Delivery
Lessons for Public Administrators as the HR Daughter (and fourth year medical student) delivers her first baby!
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Moving Experience
Succession Planning, the effects of mobility and technology, changing relationships between employers, employees and job seekers ...these are the realities facing employers in public sector HR today!
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Leaving the State You're In
A collection of retirement parties and comments from colleagues leaving their posts led to this HR Doctor commentary.
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A Sad "State" of Affairs
The impacts of three forces affecting State governments and how they relate to counties, school districts, and cities.
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The Best Available...
The HR Doctor looks at the impact for Public Administrators of a recent federal appellate court decision calling for decisions with significant impacts to be made based on the "best available" information.
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Silos are for Grain
A serious weakness in bureaucracies is reviewed. How can we overcome the problem? "Tune" in and see!
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Practicing Safe Interviewing
The HR Doctor outlines practices to keep interviews safe, focused, and job-related!
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A Walk in the Woods
The HR Doctor considers the concept of a "journey of the mind" as well as the importance of recreation - or "re-creation" as a component of work life/family life balance.
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Fun with HIPAA
The HR Doctor reviews the latest in federal laws to annoy pubic administrators. What are the essentials of compliance for a public agency with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? If you loved FLSA, you will adore HIPAA!
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Hosting an "Engagement" Party
The value of "positive engagement" is highlighted by the HR Doctor. How can a leader encourage its development?
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Being a Good Steward
The ancient public office of Royal Steward is looked at anew in relation to modern work habits and lessons for career success!
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Waiting by the Mailbox
This article looks at the many times in our lives when we "wait by the mailbox" for important news. Did we get the job? Did we pass the exam? Is a loved one far away doing well? Join the HR Doctor out by the mailbox!
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Everything's Up to Date in Kansas City
How wonderful it was to visit Kansas, to meet wonderful people, and to visit with conference attendees at the Kansas Association of Counties!
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When You Die, Your Inbox Will Still be Full
The HR Doctor explores the balance which exists in the lives of "happy" people and how we shouldn't take ourselves - and our work - too seriously!
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Pervasive Computing
If you think computers are part of our lives not, read this projection of what lies ahead in our coming to terms with technoloby!
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Long Term Caring
The HR Doctor discusses the growing need for long term care insurance for your own sake personally, for the sake of your children, and as a "marker" of a compelling workplace. Here are tips to look for.
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Credit Where Credit is Not Due
We are a nation in debt. We want it now! The HR Doctor looks are managing money, thinking about retirement...and buying toys.
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Keeping on Track
A long awaited birthday gift led to hypnosis watching the progress of the gift on a shiping company web site. How tracking software can teach every manager some valuable lessions.
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Crushed in the Whine Press
The Press exists, it is said to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. This article looks back at three decades of working with the Press - and the HR Doctor's best advice!
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Two Timing in Gulf County
A recent training visit to Gulf County, FL led to being in a time-warp - in the only jurisdiction containing two time zones!
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Every Parent's Dream - There IS a Doctor in the House!
The beautiful HR Daugther Rachel has now graduated from medical school! The HR Doctor looks back at how hard work, mixed with goals, fun and service can shape anyone's life for the better!
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HR'chitects
Structure! Critical to our lives and to our careers - but too much of a good thing?? HR's role in balancing flexibility and structure is reviewed.
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Academy Awards
The HR Doctor looks at the value of a "Supervisory Academy" approach to learning and confidence building for those whose careers have just make the quantum leap into supervision.
[