Mary Dixon - Defense: Uncommon success
Connecting state and local government leaders
As the daughter of an Air Force officer, Mary Dixon was born to high expectations. 'I am a driven person, so I am always trying to make things better,' said the program manager of the Defense Department's Common Access Card program.
'Getting the cards out there is important, but the use of the cards is even more important.' -- Mary Dixon
Olivier Douliery
ID smart cards
Toward open standards
Always do the best you can at your current job. Always look for ways to improve. Relish constructive criticism. Find managers who are successful and study them to learn what makes them successful. Become a valued but not indispensable employee or you will miss training and promotion opportunities. Look for bosses who give visibility to their employees with the organization's leadership and leadership in other organizations. Let it be known that you are interested in moving up. Ask a lot of 'why' questions.
Q: What's the best advice you received, and from whom?
(Paraphrased answer) Dixon said the best advice she received was from her father, and it was about being a good manager. He told her it is not enough to tell people what they have to do. One should convince them what you are asking them to do is worth doing, 'that it is something that they want to do,' even that it was their idea. The greatest proof that your persuasion works is if they continue to do the job in the way that you asked after you have left the room.
Q: Why government service?
I started working for the federal government because while I was in college, I was extremely critical of government and bureaucracy and someone challenged me to become a part of the government and fix the problems I thought I saw. I stayed with it because I discovered that the military and civil servants (for the most part) are exceptionally committed, very talented individuals, that the job challenges were exciting, complex and interesting, and that the management challenges are invigorating.
You cannot imagine the feeling of accomplishment when you see a major cultural change begin to take shape and people get excited about the change. To get there requires persistence, patience, team building and being unwilling to accept anything but success.
I'm sure that there are similar jobs outside the government, but this is an opportunity for me to provide service to my fellow citizens and do my very small part in keeping this country great.
Q: How important is mentoring in developing a good manager?
Although good managers can be self-developed with some help from some really effective supervisors along the way, this requires being in the right place at the right time. But a mentor is particularly useful for those individuals whose supervisors may not be willing or able to counsel them or when a view from higher up the management chain is needed.
It is equally important that the individual be open to counseling, suggestions and be willing to change. If that isn't happening, then neither effective supervision, training, nor mentoring will work. Remember, you are in charge of your career'it's your job to seek out the help you need to advance. Mentors can help you stay focused and help identify your developmental needs.
Q: What part does fun play in your work?
You have to have fun in your job. If you don't, you'll eventually lose your staff, your effectiveness. If people are having fun, it's amazing how much more work we get done far more effectively. As with almost everything, balance is essential.
Q: How do you balance work and home life?
Not anywhere near as well as I should. The technique that works for me is to schedule family, home and personal time and give it the same priority as anything else on my schedule. It works most of the time.
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