FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Do you know who controls the money in your agency or Department? Who decides if your office gets the funding you requested? You need to know your comptroller. What's a comptroller and what do they do? Rich Brady, CEO of the American Society of Military Comptrollers and retired Marine, explains why you need to understand and leverage budget processes. You can find resources and training here: https...

Dallen Haws, financial planner for federal employees, offers advice on planning, deferred retirement do-s and don't-s , and talks through common mistakes feds make when thinking about retirement. He has a VERY helpful YouTube channel that delivers great advice for FREE. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOVfyrVDS83jgo97HM0bmNg You can also find him here: / https://hawsfederaladvi...

Did you know that as a federal employee you have access to free services supporting your mental, emotional and physical well-being? If you haven't heard about your agency or department's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources, you need to reach out to your HR rep today. Elizabeth Bradley, Senior Director of Federal Programs and Magellan Healthcare (one of the major providers of EAP services f...

Welcome Michelle Amante back to the show. She is the VP of federal workforce programs at the Partnership for Public Service . The Partnership recently rolled out a new intern program for high school students that Michelle describes in this episode. She also explains what the IPA program is ... that's short for the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program (OPM website below). https://www.op...

https://younggov.org/ Have you heard of Young Government Leaders? Don't be fooled by the name. You can be any age and anywhere on the payscale and get benefit from YGL. This organization services federal, state and local/tribal government employees and helps them build skills, network, and volunteer. Learn more and join today at the link above.  

As part of the Federal Academic Alliance, Rosemont College wants to make getting a degree easier for feds an their spouses AND their children. Yep, you read that correctly. Rosemont President Dr. Jayson Boyers explains how you can register to earn an undergraduate degree for $15,600 and a graduate degree for $12,000. No gimmick here. His institution wants to support public servants and help you ac...

  WAEPA's CEO Shane Canfield reviews why federal employees need to review life insurance needs at least once a year, what 2021 brought and what's new for 2022 (LOWER RATES). Listen to learn what you need to know about life insurance and how WAEPA compares to FEGLI. Want to learn more about WAEPA? Click here.   If you're enjoying the podcast and want to continue hearing advice for feds, support the...

Dr. Russell Robinson, long-time federal employee, and founder of Amplified Research , discussed what employee engagement is and why it matters. Understanding DEEPLY why and how your employees in government are motivated (or not) should shape actions you take to get the best work from them and create a rewarding, positive workplace culture. His experience and candor help unravel what's good and wha...

What's ok to view on your work computer? Is the government REALLY monitoring your every online move?  Dr. Kelly Fletcher answers these questions and more in this episode. She's a career member of the Senior Executive Service and at the time of this recording, she was Performing the Duties of the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense. In this capacity, she serves as the primary adv...

Dr. Chaveso (Chevy) Cook, co-founder and executive director of Military Mentors, Army Officer, and mentor to many, joins us on the podcast to offer tips to make mentoring relationships better. His tips apply to military and civilians - anyone interested in getting the most benefit and connection possible from mentoring. Military Mentors, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) and was founded in 2015 to im...

Meet Mr. Darrell Williams, veteran, coach, federal employee, discusses how to bust your mid-career motivation slump. He recommends finding an accountability partner and figuring our what training or learning opportunities might be hidden in plain sight. The one thing we DIDN'T discuss in this episode that I find motivating is working with younger feds whose enthusiasm rubs off on me. You an find D...

Greg Brinkley, former fed and a coach to black federal employees, describes a few of the archetypes he wrote about in Uncivilized: How Government Workers Behave and What to do to Help Them. He delivers advice on how to deal with these folks (trust me, you definitely work with the people he's describing). My personal favorite is the arsonist - the ones who are ready to figuratively burn it all down...

The friendly folks from Consumers Checkbook, a nonprofit that rates local service providers, talk us through their benefits calculator. For some agencies, access is provided for free. If  you don't work for a part of the federal government that offers it, you want to sign up, you can save 20% by using the code "fedupward." For less than $20, you can take the  pain out of deciding which healthcare...

Matisha Montgomery serves as the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) at HUD. In this episode, she explains what a CLO does, what you should know about learning and development in general, and gives tips on establishing your individual development plan. You can find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matisha-montgomery-b214412/ She mentions the IDP templates on the OPM website. You can find them here.

If you haven't joined the FedFam Facebook group, you should. I know, I'm not a huge FB fan either, but this group is SO helpful, supportive and just what you need as a federal employee in need of info. I sat down with Jason Coleman, founder of the group/non-profit, and current federal employee who wants to ensure you have a safe space to ask your toughest questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups...

Mark Sachs is an organizational development expert and coach who works to bring out the best in his clients, many of whom are feds like us. In this episode, he delivers tips for setting boundaries in our professional lives.  You can find his website here.

Looking for something new to expand your skill set, avoid burnout, and bring new solutions back to your agency to solve thorny problems? Have you considered a detail assignment at another agency or department? Career coach Elle O'Flaherty of Interlace Solutions explains how to leverage USAJOBS' new functionality to find details or post your own to draw in new talent.  https://openopps.usajobs.gov/

Most of us are stuck in cubicles (at least when we're physically in the office these days). Workplace expert Mary Abbajay delves into the rules of engagement for surviving cubicle culture.  Mary is the co-host of the podcast, Cubicle Confidential, which you can find here. I found this podcast and really appreciated the kind, yet firm advice Mary and her co-host deliver to solve everyday problems,...

On Thursday, September 9, 2021, the President issued an executive order mandating vaccines for feds...and more. You can read it for yourself here . But what can federal employees expect in terms of implementation? What does it actually mean? Who does it impact? Deborah Hopkins and Katie Atkinson of the Federal Employment Law Training Group dish answers in this episode. They hopped on a Zoom call o...

If you're like me, watching events unfold in Afghanistan left you angry, sad, confused, and asking yourself big questions about what contributions you've made over the last 20 years mean now. And the anniversary of 9/11 is coming up and everyone's planning their hot takes. AND COVID is still around and if you're kids are too young for vaccination, you're still stuck at home or losing your mind wit...

Listen to my (unedited because I wanted to get this out FAST) discussion with four amazing women in national security and foreign policy who are working hard to support the next generation of BIPOC leaders. They're hosting an amazing event on Sept 8th at 6pm. Register here:  tinyurl.com/climbconference They're supported by a group of sponsors who include: https://www.wcaps.org/ https://www.lcwins....

What can powerful coaching do for your organization? For you? Well, a lot. Sandi Stewart, an experienced and respected executive coach lays out what coaching is, how feds can benefit from coaching, and explains how creating a coaching practice within your agency or department might be the spark you need to reignite motivation and improve performance.  Buy Sandi's book here. ---------------- SLS Co...

https://allianceforcongress.org/ Meet Jeff McNichols, the lead for the Partnership for Public Service's new Alliance for Congress. The Alliance for Congress supports a more effective Congress that better meets the country's diverse needs and interests. The Alliance will build on the Partnership's two decades of experience working with the federal workforce and government agencies to increase colla...

Dr. Steve West, a personal friend, amazing man, and Air Force veteran, sat down with me to discuss how federal employees and others can recognize the signs of PTSD and support those who struggle with it. He tells.his deeply personal story in his book, The Bronze Scar, in order to help people understand how PTSD feels. As many of us serve with veterans in federal agencies and departments, as events...

Ever filled out the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) and wondered what happened with the info? Michelle Amante of the Partnership for Public Service walks us through the work her organization does to use the survey results to help agencies and departments improve. Michelle outlines how the highest rated orgs use the survey feedback to make continuous improvement.  PPS press release on FEVS...