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Return to Article: Survey indicates dissatisfaction with government management

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  I am an extremely happy government employee who works for a great federal government agency. Our managers are more than competent, they are visionaries who work hard to make sure our projects are on time and within budget. I wish there were more stories showing all the good we do. We are not the bad guys!!

  Happy Government Employee Posted October 23, 2007 10:56 AM
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  Those who govern should demonstrate their commitment to building a government service which promotes integrity, competence, and advancement based on merit. Advancing patronage and inserting political employees with an agenda which does not serve the public interest does not advance that goal. The mean spirit behind NSPS, as if Defense civilians were terrorists, does not advance that goal either and makes DOD civilians more suceptible to political influence. Remember the Oklahoma city bombing of the Murrah federal building? The constant targeting of federal employees is no different. The recent outing of Ms. Valerie Wilson by the White House is just one very public example.

  Michael Posted October 23, 2007 8:07 AM
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  I could give many examples of efficiency in government but the truth is nobody wants to hear it. Politicals are much more likely to obtain votes if they convince the public that government is all screwed up and only they can fix it. What a one sided article.

  One of those incompentent Federal managers Posted October 23, 2007 6:46 AM
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  ONLY 677!!!!out of millions in the US??? However, I totally agree with comment of poor oversight of government contractors. Also the comment of being a "more effective manager" join my shoes someday when their is everything thrown at you to implement with arcadic employees and no backbone to support.

  ME Posted October 18, 2007 2:31 PM
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  The managers in Government are truly not 'leadership' material for the most part; they are 'yes' men. Many of today's managers got to their current level due to the 'good old boy system' and based on the Peter Principle achieved their level of incompetence. The other unfortunate aspect is rather than flattening out levels, we continue to expand at the top levels and create increasingly more bottlenecks in Government. In addition, many of our so-called managers are incapable of rendering decisions. Rather than increase the levels of managers, we should incept programs to flatten these levels and increase those in lower levels who are actually attempting to affect change. In short, Government managers are an oxymoron...since for the most part, they are incompetent and indecisive and the few who perform at the level of competency required for their positions are overwhelmed by the 'know/do nothings'.

  CAE Posted October 18, 2007 11:18 AM
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  Read the front page of the Washington Post or watch the news on tv--NBC, CBS, MSNBC, FOX it doesn't matter--all you see are stories of corruption and incompetence and cost overruns in contracts and poor performance. The Washington Post says it exists to disclose wrongdoing. The old story is that, "if it bleeds, it leads." There is no interest in good government stories because they are boring. How about a story about how our air traffic controllers managed 5,000 flights today with no accidents and brought hundreds of thousands of American citizens safely home to their families. Or how about a story about the incredible job the Park Rangers do every day helping people safely enjoy the parks. I could go on to countless examples of millions of things that go right every day. But they are boring stories, so they don't make the news. Add to that the politicians who cravenly seek votes by telling the voters that government is all fouled up and only they can fix it. Why should Americans think any differently.

  John Smith Posted October 17, 2007 4:28 PM
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  I found when I was a manager that part of the problem stems from the fact that a manager's hands are tied due to his boss not having the credentials to be a manager, but moved up threw the ranks. Not every one is management material, but by virtue of the fact that an organization is made up of all attorneys, or all accountants, you end up with one being a manager. Being an attorney or an accountant, does not make them a good manager. They need training just like anyone else, and that rarely happens. You end up with a host of unhappy people, to include the manager. Saw for Myself

  Donna Ching Posted October 17, 2007 12:18 PM
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  Okay, now the same company should survey "the public" to determine the public's attitude towards management of the cable TV industry, the telephone industry, and the airline industry. Any guesses as to how that's going to come out?

  Peter Posted October 17, 2007 11:54 AM
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  The problem with any study is that we all have our area of expertise, and we must have a level of faith that what we are told, outside of our expertise, is at least somewhat accurate. However, there are those that are willing to distort truth for their own political gains. That is when we need to employ a little wisdom and patience.

  Charles Posted October 17, 2007 9:55 AM
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  """A survey of only 677 people in the U.S. is not statistically valid and virtually meaningless. D. Michels Posted October 17, 2007 8:21 AM"""

  From a stitistical standpoint you are correct, but do you disagree with the basic point that is being presented?

  Bob Posted October 17, 2007 9:47 AM
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  A survey this small certainly can be valid when the selection is made via the approrpriate empirical standards and criteria. However, a larger sample will reduce the range of potential error making it more statistically valid. If this particular survey was done with a sampling of, say, several million, there's no doubt the percentage of dissatisfied responders would be almost 100%.

  Lawrence Posted October 17, 2007 9:25 AM
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  I agree with Jason, that people connect all the pork and entitlements (farmers paid to not farm, etc) with the government, when it is really the House & Senate that is to blame.

  When the government "gives" them something, people have a favorable view of that agency, at least.

  But heck, even those of us who work for the Federal government know there is a lot of waste because of incompetent people.

  Charleen Posted October 17, 2007 9:21 AM
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  A survey of only 677 people in the U.S. is not statistically valid and virtually meaningless.

  D. Michels Posted October 17, 2007 8:21 AM
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  Much of the federal government management failings are directly related to two sweeping trends: (1) A debilitating increase of completely inexperienced persons politically appointed to high-impact decision-making positions...and (2) An exponential increase in the use of contractors to perform critical mission functions without proper oversight (in some cases with zero oversight and zero accountibility). How can you dramatically increase the use of contractors at the same time you reduce the number of qualified federal oversight managers and experienced aquisition specialists? I ask every fed to look around and assess to what degree an effective manager was lost to retirement or higher pay and replaced by a political appointee (whose only experience is often running political campaigns or raising campaign funds). IMHO, many critical missions have been severely compromised by these trends. The proof is all around us...no need to list anecdotal evidence here.

  Don Posted October 17, 2007 8:18 AM
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  This isn't aboutp program managemnet, it is about pork. America is unhappy with the politcal pork that is purchased with tax dollars to award some corporation, PAC, or interest group. Real projects are managed quite efficiently. It is sad that a survey mixes together the wasted tax dollors of the politically motivated actions of elected idiots and projects of responsible agency's. No child left behind, Faith based initiatives....bridge to nowhere....these are the projects people hate.

  Jason Posted October 17, 2007 8:12 AM
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  The American public elected George Bush twice. Why should we think they know anything about running Government?

  Keith Anderson Posted October 17, 2007 7:50 AM
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  Why don't you ever see the President's Management Agenda used on the Iraq War Plan? It would look like a see of red dots. Also, contractors are where the extra government spending is going. Way too many doing "work" that somehow is related to administration's traffic light system.

  John DOH Posted October 16, 2007 9:57 PM
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  I think that the federal management is completely gutted with crony's and yes men. It's a reflection of DC, no wonder why the people or more importantly the voters are dissatisfied with these people. What we need is more accountability; time to clean house..

  Chris Posted October 16, 2007 8:53 PM