Author Archive

Jackson Nickerson

Jackson Nickerson

Associate Dean, Brookings Executive Education

Jackson Nickerson is the Frahm Family Professor of Organization and Strategy at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, the Associate Dean and Director of the Brookings Executive Education, and a Senior Scholar in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. An award winning researcher and teacher, Jackson specializes in leadership, strategic and critical thinking, leading change, and innovation. While in a prior life he worked for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he now advises government agencies, not-for profits, and for-profit businesses on ways to improve performance. He is the author of Leading Change in a Web 2.1 World.
Jackson Nickerson is the Frahm Family Professor of Organization and Strategy at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, the Associate Dean and Director of the Brookings Executive Education, and a Senior Scholar in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution. An award winning researcher and teacher, Jackson specializes in leadership, strategic and critical thinking, leading change, and innovation. While in a prior life he worked for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he now advises government agencies, not-for profits, and for-profit businesses on ways to improve performance. He is the author of Leading Change in a Web 2.1 World.
Management

How to Think Strategically as a Leader

In jumping to a solution, you could be missing the real problem.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

Will the New Manager Be a Bully Too?

​How to hire and set leadership expectations for supervisors.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

Navigating the Tricky Transition From Peer to Manager

Early conversations with other managers and your employees might surprise you.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

Why Government Needs More Enterprise Leaders

The challenge isn’t just allocating resources, it’s adapting to change.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Briefing

How to Win Over The Idea Killers

Trying to convince others to implement your plan might not be the best approach.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

To Bonus, or Not to Bonus

What’s good for business isn’t always good for government.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

4 Ways to Improve Accountability in Your Office

Leaders who take personal responsibility build a culture of commitment.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Featured eBooks
Budget Outlook for Fiscal 2025
AI in the Workplace
Asia-Pacific Outlook
Management

How to Lead Change From the Lower Ranks

Start small and the positive outcomes will stimulate others to follow.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

How to Lead Change When You’re a Middle Manager

Building new organizational capabilities can be difficult when you lack full authority.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Briefing

Are Your Workers Just Checking the Box?

How to lead them off the path of least resistance and inspire innovative thinking.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

4 Ways to Get Your Ideas Implemented

How to get others on board, especially if you lack the authority.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

Adopting Best Practices Can Be a Bad Idea

Just because it worked somewhere else, doesn't mean it will work for your agency.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Briefing

How to Battle Boss Envy

Three strategies for keeping the peace when staff members are passed over for promotion.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

How to Break the Routine and Spur Innovation

You're never too busy to think outside the box.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Featured eBooks
Budget Outlook for Fiscal 2025
AI in the Workplace
Asia-Pacific Outlook
Management

Where Will Government’s Next Leaders Come From?

Despite the challenges of public service, it's a golden opportunity to create value.

  • Jackson Nickerson, Brookings Executive Education
Management

You're In Charge, But Who Said Never Let ’em See You Sweat?

Occasional self-doubt can be a sign of a successful and reflective leader.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Briefing

How to Build Skills Without the Budget

No training funds? Don’t despair. There are other ways to beef up your team’s expertise.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

4 Ways to Boost Morale—Even When Incentives Are Scarce

How you can make your office a bright spot in the gloomy federal landscape.

  • Jackson Nickerson
Management

What to Do When You Become Your Co-Workers' Boss

How to avoid retribution when your peers become subordinates.

  • Jackson Nickerson, Brookings Executive Education
Management

How to Deal With Self-Doubt

Effective leadership is about pursuing the knowledge you don’t have.

  • Jackson Nickerson