Author Archive
Commentary
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.
People
A tribute to a pioneer advocate for small disadvantaged businesses in government contracting
Steve Kelman remembers Centech founder Fernando Galaviz.
Commentary
Why are there so many tributes to Ash Carter on my Facebook page?
Steve Kelman considers the impact of a colleague.
Commentary
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.
Commentary
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.
Commentary
A U.S diplomatic organization that works
How a short video speaks volumes about current U.S. approaches to diplomacy in China.
Commentary
Moderates of the world, unite!
The time may have come for normally reserved political centrists to raise their voices.
Commentary
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.
Commentary
Customer service at the National Security Agency
Steve Kelman finds a helping hand in the highly secretive spy shop.
Commentary
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.
Commentary
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
Commentary
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.
Commentary
Good decision, bad outcome
Steve Kelman shares an important lesson from the smartest person he knows.
Commentary
Storytelling and slide decks
Steve Kelman shares ideas about how to inject narrative techniques into your humdrum PowerPoint presentations.
Commentary
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.
Commentary
Non-traditional contractors grow up
The Digital Services Coalition, a trade association representing non-traditional IT contractors, is out with a new strategic plan.
Commentary
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.
Commentary