Michael Watkins, author of “The First 90 Days” recently launched an interesting discussion in Harvard Business Review’s LinkedIn group, asking participants to define what is meant by an organization’s culture. Here are some of my favorites: Culture reveals how things are done, reflecting the fundamental values and ethics by which an organization operates, as well as the perceptions …
Category Archive: Transitioning into Public Service
Apr 08
State Government Great Fit For Retired USCG Officer
Many senior officers tend to focus their post-military career search on the federal government when thinking about working in the public sector. Tom Cullen welcomed the opportunity to bring his extensive Coast Guard experience in environmental protection and response, emergency management, port security and maintenance/logistics to California state government. As one of two Chief Deputy Directors in the …
Mar 26
Applying Team Leadership Skills to a Different Kind of Public Service
Coming out of a long and successful career in the military, some might contemplate a quick escape to the golf course; others, such as Captain Mary Kolar, USN (ret) took advantage of post-military life to take “public service” to a new level. Currently serving as Director of Public Operations for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA,) Mary is also …
Mar 19
Daniel Pink Reminds Job-Seekers “To Sell is Human”
“I don’t want to do sales” is a frequent lament of many senior military leaders in transition. Following my previous post on this topic, I had the good fortune to read To Sell is Human and to ask its author, Daniel Pink, to help reframe this issue for those laying the groundwork for their post-military …
Feb 06
Beyond ETAP: Accelerating Your Career Transition
Have you taken an executive career transition course and found that it left you less than fully prepared to successfully enter the civilian workforce? Would you like to get a better handle on the pros and cons of working for smaller versus larger firms, public service versus the private sector, and negotiating your benefits package? …
Jan 18
” I Don’t Want to Do Sales”
Over the years, I have come across senior military leaders in transition unsure about which career path to pursue next; the one certainty many seem to share is an almost visceral aversion to “doing sales or business development.” Everyone can appreciate the stereotypes of the used car salesman or other “aggressive” vendors we have encountered who …
Jan 08
Retired Command Sergeant Major Picks Civilian Career to Support Military Families
After a long career in military service, some senior leaders choose a second career that allows them to continue to support the men and women on active duty. Terrance McWilliams retired after a 30-year career as Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General at Fort Carson, Colorado. He and his spouse …
Jan 01
Fulfilling a New Mission in Your Encore Career
After a long career in military service, it can be hard to imagine what other work you might find as fulfilling. Marci Alboher, author of “The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life” and Vice President of Encore.org says we should stop imagining and start …
Dec 06
Retired Rear Admiral’s Top Ten Transition Tips
Sorting out one’s options after a long career in military service is not always a simple task. Assessing post-military personal and professional priorities is important. It is also helpful to learn from the experiences of former colleagues who are ready to offer their insights about post-military career options and greater work-life balance. RADM John Acton, USCG (retired) …
Loading ...
Recent Comments