Managing Government Employees: How to Motivate Your People, Deal with Difficult Issues, and Achieve Tangible Results

I am a new to government manager (5 months on the job). Government does many things differently from the private sector and I needed a primer and this book gave me the answers I needed. My only complaint was the large amount of time spent discussing union issues, but since the government is 50% union it does make sense. However, the rules and advice are equally applicable to any situation. A very good book.

Even within the labyrinth of a government agency, a good manager can inspire people and get great results. Stewart Liff draws on his 32-year government career to show you how to increase the productivity of your government agency or organization. For instance, he explains how managers' fear of taking decisive action can cause government inefficiencies, particularly in maintaining a responsive workforce. Liff provides detailed descriptions of typical employment challenges and offers resolutions gleaned from his considerable experience. His approach enlivens what could easily be a dull lesson, particularly in regard to navigating labor issues. For government professionals in management and human resources, getAbstract recommends this clarifying, nuts-and-bolts guide to managing government employees.

Liff brings tons of experience to the table. I mostly enjoyed his discussions on EEO issues and working intelligently with Federal unions. I was suprised how much I learned from the Reward and Recognition Overview and the Attendance Managment sections, a resource that I'll keep near my desk.

Perhaps the single best reference for government employees. Practical ideas for moving beyond conventional management techniques. A must read for employees looking for methods to work within the confines of pay scales, performance evaluations, and less-than-stellar co-workers.