NRC Managers' Forum

How would Dr. Truth handle this situation ?

As an exercise at the 2001 NCR Managers' Forum, managers were given the opportunity to submit questions and concerns to Dr. Truth, a fictional Managers' advice columnist. The following are some of the submissions and answers Dr. Truth provided.

1. Charting a new course

Dear Dr. Truth:

I need your advice. My career is going nowhere. I'm not even sure that I'm in the right field of work. I seem to be stuck somewhere between the manager level and the support staff level. I' d like to enter the management category but there are no opportunities.

I have a background in finance but don't want to work in this area anymore. Retirement is not an option. I want a new career, something challenging and rewarding. What would you suggest?

Malcolm in the Middle in Ottawa

Dear Malcolm in the Middle:

• find a mentor
• network
• consider assignment in a different field
• consider MTP/CAP
• pursue courses that would enhance skills
• develop a learning plan with a learning advisor
• assessment exercises through the PSC
• develop a career plan with concrete objectives and review it continuously
• tie in to CCMD training
• develop your strengths
• show initiative
• clearly define what it is you want to do
• look at career bridging programs, e.g. CS
• explore opportunities in other departments
• get supervisors support for action plan

2. Charting / Enriching my career

Dear Dr. Truth:

I am a new manager in the government and although my management team and co-workers are great people no one will make a decision or push the issue. I'm not the type of person who needs to be told what to do and I think my working environment should empower me to make decisions and take risks, not always promote the status quo. I want to enrich my career through practical applications, not necessarily through all these one or two-day courses being offered. I was encouraged to make a career within the public service, however if I don't get more challenging work soon and an opportunity to grow as a manager I will have no choice but to leave. Do you have any ideas on how I can make my career in the public service work?

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed in Gatineau

Dear Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed in Gatineau:

• you need to fully understand government priorities
• propose ideas that fit into these priorities
• brainstorm ideas with colleagues to improve or start new services
• challenge ideas of own director
• look at other opportunities - would there be a better fit for you?
• clearly understand your scope of authority and accountability
• define reasonable risk
• tap into mentor/networking resources
• ask supervisor for challenging project
• network with other colleagues - what are they doing?
• talk with team and clarify objectives
• determine if barriers can be removed
• join professional associations
• look at business needs first, not personal needs
• keep lines of communication open with team
• are you in the right job?

3. Staying fit for the journey:

Dear Dr. Truth:

Let me start by saying that I like my job as a manager and the challenges it brings, however since Program Review I have been working flat out with less bodies, less money, smaller working areas and more initiatives. I don' t mind putting in extra time once in a while but I think that 6 years is about all I can take of managing without sufficient resources.

Recent events have forced me to take a good look at my priorities. The hours I spend here with you have an affect on my life outside of the office. As well, I feel that I am becoming an ineffective manager as a result of the continued long working hours. I need to know that my health and safety are important to the organization.

We have weathered Program Review, budget cuts, less staff, limited salary increases and, to tell you the truth, the future doesn't look much brighter! Help! Please....

Barely Surviving in Kanata

Dear Barely Surviving in Kanata:

discuss workload with staff - can they help, i.e. delegate one on one counselling course on priority setting let go of things take a vacation - health more important than work bury Program Review - it is over schedule personal time each day family comes first charge for O/T - sending a signal to management re-think business processes move on, if there is not relief - career change set attainable goals & objectives - review regularly make sure supervisor is aware of problems take advantage of EAP career counselling plan for success, not failure get buy-in at senior level for everything that becomes a priority, something has to fall off the list question, question, question share with colleagues (managers) empower others learn to say "NO"