The Lectern

The long-time civil servant on the front lines of the default battle

Dave Lebryk is not widely known to the public but the Treasury official occupies a critical spot when it comes to measuring the daily cash position of the federal government.

  • By Steve Kelman

From Harvard to Ukraine

Steve Kelman catches up with a former student whose work has taken him to the front lines of U.S. efforts to curb nuclear proliferation.

  • By Steve Kelman

Turning a page

Steve Kelman reflects on his impending retirement.

  • By Steve Kelman

Is the Biden administration's management agenda getting back on track?

On the federal contracting front, reforms seem to be working better in practice than in theory.

  • By Steve Kelman

Why formal government communications work better than informal ones

A study looks at how expectations of government style influence how citizens respond to messaging.

  • By Steve Kelman

Okay boomers—listen up!

Steve Kelman remembers the savage beats of the great Tom Lehrer.

  • By Steve Kelman

Dissenting from our toxic political culture

Steve Kelman says it's important in this highly partisan era to find points of disagreement with one's own party.

  • By Steve Kelman

Remembering Professor Carter

Steve Kelman reflects on the former defense secretary's life in government and academia.

  • By Steve Kelman

Measuring for management

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

  • By Steve Kelman

Making an apology

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

  • By Steve Kelman

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.

  • By Steve Kelman

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.

  • By Steve Kelman

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.

  • By Steve Kelman

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.

  • By Steve Kelman
Featured eBooks

A tribute to a pioneer advocate for small disadvantaged businesses in government contracting

Steve Kelman remembers Centech founder Fernando Galaviz.

  • By Steve Kelman

Why are there so many tributes to Ash Carter on my Facebook page?

Steve Kelman considers the impact of a colleague.

  • By Steve Kelman

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.

  • By Steve Kelman

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.

  • By Steve Kelman

A U.S diplomatic organization that works

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

  • By Steve Kelman

Moderates of the world, unite!

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

  • By Steve Kelman

Coding it Forward fellows share their stories

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

  • By Steve Kelman