GCN IT Leadership Award winners speak
Connecting state and local government leaders
Twelve information technology leaders who've left indelible marks improving government IT, along with top leaders from the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury departments and the Office of Management and Budget shared their observations and principles about leadership at Government Computer News' third annual Government IT Leadership Awards Conference in Washington May 24.
The conference highlighted the factors that contribute to the success of current government IT leaders and would be important to the next generation of IT leaders. It also formally recognized the accomplishments of 12 individuals whose leadership and sustained efforts in government earned them the distinction, among more than 90 nominations, of receiving GCN's 2006 IT Leadership Awards. The 12 recipients were profiled in GCN's May 1 issue.
The qualities that will distinguish the next generation of government leaders are defined in part by the new uncertainties leaders face in government, said according to Dr. Elizabeth McDaniel, dean of faculty and academic programs at the Information Resources Management College, National Defense University. Chief among the new requirements for government leaders are having the ability to be agile in the face of uncertainty, innovative in the face of complexity, passionate about an agency's mission, and being transformational rather than transactional in approaching the work of government.
Clay Johnson, deputy director for management at OMB, said that the working environment over the next 10 years would demand leaders who have 'way more accountability for what we do and responsibility for what gets done.' The development of leadership capabilities and skills 'are meaningless if a manager isn't accountable for relating (their efforts) to results,' said Johnson.
Charlie Havekost, CIO of HHS, observed that in today's environment, 'you need to show the ability to adapt to change' if one is to be selected to lead. One way to demonstrate that is have a proven record for working in multiple agencies and situations. Sam Mok, CFO at the Department of Labor, highlighted several lessons about successful leadership in government: Surround yourself with people who will do the right things, not just great talent; 'clone yourself' ' empowering those around you; work smarter, not harder, by focusing on the tasks that matter most; set daily victory goals; and hold your people to high accountability standards.
GCN readers can hear full sound clips of these and other points expressed by leaders speaking at the GCN IT Leadership Awards Conference by clicking the links below. The sound clips were recorded by, and made available courtesy of, WFED Federal News Radio.
Understanding the Coming Revolution in Federal Employment
Clay Johnson, OMB deputy director for management. | Listen (mp3).
Applying a Leadership-based Approach in a Policy/Process/Bureaucracy-Driven Environment
Sam Mok, CFO of the Labor Department, and Vish Sankaran, technical adviser for the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS. | Listen (mp3).
Managing Across Disciplines
Panel moderated by Jim Flyzik, president, The Flyzik Group. Panel members include Karen Evans, administrator, Office of E-Gov & IT, OMB; Ira Hobbs, CIO, Treasury Department; Charlie Havekost, CIO, Health and Human Services Department. | Listen (mp3).
What Will the Next Generation of Career Government Leaders Need in Terms of Education, Training and Skills?
Interview by Wyatt Kash, editorial director, GCN, with Elizabeth McDaniel, Ph.D., dean of faculty and academic programs, Information Resources College, National Defense University. | Listen (mp3).
Luncheon Keynote Speaker
Air Force Major Gen. Dale Meyerrose, associate director of National Intelligence and CIO. | Listen (mp3).
Problem Solving
GCN IT Leadership Award Winners participate in panels moderated by editorial staff. Three scenarios were presented. Click here to find out how the winners would address the problems.
' The Spend Thrift Contractor | Listen (mp3)
' Outsourcing Conundrum | Listen (mp3)
' The Snake Pit | Listen (mp3)
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