Added 5 new clients during Bootcamp… and is adding a coach to her team to handle the growth in business!

Presenting Bootcamp STAR Graduate – Patricia Maples, Executive & Conflict Coaching Solutions

Patty is one of our Top 11 students in this past session—the “cum laude” of the bunch who launched her businesses with our support and who is now thriving!

7 Tips on Surviving the Presidential Transition

I think you will agree that it’s a challenging time for leaders throughout the country, especially for those in public service. While it’s only been a little over a week since President Trump took office, we’ve seen unparalleled discord and friction about new executive orders and decisions across the country, and throughout the world. If you are a senior career executive in the Federal sector, you may be in for a ride. Your job is the retain, motivate, and engage your best performers, especially during this time of transition, hiring freezes, uncertainty as to future staffing levels, and heightened staff emotions. The highest level career executives in your agency will soon, if it hasn’t happened already, be involved in introducing new political appointees to the mission and work of your agency and hopefully together navigate new strategies and policies that will impact your mission, programs and operations. Now more than ever it is time for you to support your career staff by adopting proven disciplines that have stood the test of time during periods of upheaval and uncertainty. You will want to minimize stress.

Here’s a seven tips to help you during these challenging times.

1.  Remember it’s an honor and a privilege to be responsible for important government programs and efforts, and to supervise and be responsible for staff. Below is the oath you took when you first became a civil servant – I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. 5 U.S.C. §3331. This is truly a profound statement and intention. As an Executive Coach, I challenge you to exemplify the highest standards of personal integrity and conduct so your employees can model your behavior and make you and your organization proud.

2. Stay calm and remember the Federal sector has successfully survived presidential transitions before. Continue to focus on the mission of your organization, rather than on personalities, commentaries, or narratives.

3. Focus on what you can control. Exhibit strong leadership qualities so you can be the best leader you can be. As a career executive, you can use your subject matter expertise and historical perspective when presenting invaluable information up the chain of command to ensure continuity for the programs you have been working or to shape any new initiatives that are introduced.

4. Communicate, communicate, and communicate with your staff. Let them know what you know and what you don’t know. Check in with them regularly, be a listening ear, and offer positive suggestions on how to weather the imminent future. Embrace humor and levity as much as possible.

5. Strive to be a courageous follower, as well as an exemplary leader. Remember all of us are graced with strengths and saddled with weaknesses, regardless of title or educational accomplishments. What can you do to help new arrivals, political appointees or not, navigate the challenges you are facing together? Political appointees often do not have experience working in government or understand the processes that make an agency run. Your expertise and ability to navigate the government terrain is critical.

6. Take time out to facilitate wellness by practicing spiritual and exercise disciplines, and nurturing social and family relationships. Try to work reasonable hours incorporating moments and days of reflection and rest. Encourage your staff to do the same.

7.  I invite you to take a peak at available resource guides that provide detailed information on presidential transitions, specifically the Senior Executive Association’s A Handbook on Presidential Transition for Federal Career Executives.

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Patty Maples is founder and VIP Coach with Executive & Conflict Coaching Solutions. She is a professionally trained Coach, with a background in mediation and facilitation and 25 years of Federal human capital expertise, and possesses a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, and pending certification from the International Coaching Federation as an Associate Certified Coach. She possesses an extraordinary human capital background having worked in multiple Federal agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health, and as an independent entrepreneur. Her niche is executive and conflict coaching, supporting leaders, especially public servants, who are challenged by situations in their workforces that require exceptional interpersonal skills in working with subordinates and colleagues with differing interests and goals. Especially in this time of Presidential transition, she knows first hand that the public sector needs to retain and engage the best and the brightest, and the power of the first level supervisor to make this a reality in each Federal agency. Patty believes people should live their lives with purpose and passion, and loves serving others through coaching, leadership development, and quality of life improvement. She excels at helping leaders identify and meet ambitious goals, resolve differences before they become disputes, and live powerfully beyond measure. Learn more about Patty

Get your free copy here of Patty’s Free Gift: A Handbook on Presidential Transition for Federal Career Executives

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