Federal employees have different reasons for choosing a career in public service. Some have been influenced by personal experiences or external events. Some have followed in the footsteps of their parents or have been inspired by other role models. Many have a strong sense of idealism and share the common...

This week has been designated by Congress as Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), a time to honor the men and women who work in government each and every day to find solutions to our country's problems, assist Americans in need, keep us safe and advance our national interests.

There has been much talk lately of President Obama's efforts to enhance education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, referred to as STEM. These fields are important for helping our government fulfill its critical missions and for fostering America's global competitiveness. Recently, Tom Fox spoke with theoretical...

Tom Fox is a guest writer for On Leadership and vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. He also heads up their Center for Government Leadership.

I received many responses to my "Dealing with poor performers in...

According to the latest Best Places to Work in the Federal Government data, effective leadership is one of the keys to employee satisfaction and commitment. Yet in the federal government, satisfaction with leadership has been low and is slipping. Government wide, only four out of 10 employees feel...

Tom Fox is a guest writer for On Leadership and vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. He also heads up their Center for Government Leadership. In this week's column, he answers a reader question:

With budgets tightening, when...

Given the current uncertain fiscal environment, many federal employees are feeling frustrated and helpless in the workplace. Tom Fox spoke with organizational change expert Brigadier General John Michel about how federal leaders can help employees focus on the possibilities rather than the limitations. Michel is the chief change and learning...

This year's NCAA tournament once again demonstrated that leadership has a considerable impact on a team's performance and is key to motivating and inspiring players to overcome adversity and other challenges.

The same principle holds true for federal agencies. Federal employee attitudes toward their leaders are a major influence on...

As the new features of the Affordable Care Act roll out between now and 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are developing new programs and tools to help healthcare providers deliver better care to the American public -- and much of the work takes place...

In this highly charged political era, characterized by instant communication and frequent miscommunication, the need for federal leaders to be clear and credible is extremely important for effective governance. Michael McCurry, President Clinton's former press secretary and a veteran of more than 30 years in Washington, spoke with...

Tom Fox is a guest writer for On Leadership and vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. He also heads up their Center for Government Leadership.

Can you remember the exact moment you chose to go into public service?

Bill Corr,...

The extreme weather conditions experienced in the United States -- blizzards, intense hurricanes and tornadoes -- make the predictions of the National Weather Service critical to savings lives and property. Last month, Louis W. Uccellini was named director of the National Weather Service, putting him in charge of...

The National Security Agency (NSA), home to America's codemakers and codebreakers, recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Tom Fox spoke with the agency's deputy director, John Inglis, about this unique defense agency and its goals for the future. As deputy director, Inglis is the agency's chief operating...

How can federal managers foster innovative, creative environments? Tom Fox talked with leadership expert and author Leigh Thompson about her latest research on negotiation, team creativity and learning. Thompson is a professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and also the author of six books...

Tom Fox is a guest writer for On Leadership and vice president for leadership and innovation at the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. He also heads up their Center for Government Leadership. For this week's column, he answers a reader question:

I'm being asked to do my regular work plus...

It's not an easy time for federal employees and their managers as they brace for the fallout from sequestration -- the $85 billion in automatic across-the-board spending cuts required under the 2011 Budget Control Act.

With Congress and the White House working to find an alternative plan to avoid the...

This year's best picture winner "Argo" showcases the service and sacrifice of U.S. diplomats and Foreign Service officers overseas. Tom Fox spoke with former ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala Prudence Bushnell about this important work. Bushnell also served as deputy assistant secretary of state for African Affairs and...

Who are your leadership role models? In historical terms, Abraham Lincoln stands out to me for his strength, perseverance, vision and ability to communicate. On a more personal basis, I admire a brother-in-law who is a police officer and two nephews who are firefighters because they knowingly put themselves in...

HR and communications expert Nancy Reardon has held senior executive positions at Comcast Cable Communications and American Express after beginning her career at GE. Most recently she served as the senior vice president and chief human resources and communications officer for the Campbell Soup Company. Reardon is also...

Lisa Brown worked at the White House in senior roles during the Clinton and Obama administrations, including four years as deputy counsel and counsel to Vice President Gore, staff secretary to President Obama, and most recently at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as acting chief performance...