The Challenges that All Managers Face, Old and New
Need a lifeline? We’re here for you. Visit WAEPA.org.
The prompt for this round of the FEDforum is back to square one. This week, hear from the Federal Managers Association (FMA).
In many ways, a federal employee who has been promoted to become a manager or supervisor is starting at square one. And at the beginning, you need all the help and support you can get, you need all the help and support you can get.
With new challenges and unknowns, things to learn like how to deal with poor performers, and a shift of focus from ‘getting things done’ to enabling others to get things done, among many other shifts and priorities. The Federal Managers Association (FMA) recognizes the challenges these new managers face and is ready to be of immediate assistance. These new managers may have years of experience and valuable knowledge, but for many, this new beginning requires a completely new toolkit to allow them to become successful managers and leaders. Some agencies do better than others about providing managerial training quickly. Sadly, we have heard of many other instances where training was delayed for many months. In either case, FMA stands ready to assist these new managers find their way to becoming the best leaders they can be, while also looking out for their interests.
FMA is a resource to federal managers, supervisors, and executives across the federal government. Our chapters offer members the ability to identify issues and concerns, and to proactively address these matters in a positive manner with agency leadership. Additionally, chapters offer networking and mentoring opportunities to help managers with issues specific to their unique situations. Chances are that fellow managers have gone through similar situations with employees and can help. FMA chapters are well respected and called upon by agencies to offer guidance on policy and implementation. If there is not an FMA chapter at your location, you can easily start one, or join as a member-at-large. We offer our members many tools, including webinars and townhalls where you can get answers to your questions. If you are confronting a new situation and need some advice, call the FMA national office and we will point you in the right direction.
FMA is a member of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC), which advises the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matters, the FEHB Program Advisory Group (OPM), the Federal-Postal Coalition, the Government Managers Coalition, and the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) Board. FMA is also involved in department and facility-level partnership councils. We are in regular communication with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as well as the congressional committees and subcommittees with jurisdiction over government employee matters. FMA is non-partisan and finds success regardless of which party is in power at any given time.
Regrettably, departments and agencies do not uniformly inform their new managers of the resources available to them. We implore agencies to educate, especially new managers, about resources such as FMA. Too many federal managers are unaware of the support FMA can provide them as they navigate their way to becoming the best manager they can be. There is someone looking out for their interests, and that is the Federal Managers Association. If you are a manager, supervisor, or executive, please join FMA today. You will be joining thousands of your colleagues to ensure your concerns are heard and addressed at the highest levels of government. Visit our website at www.fedmanagers.org to learn more. We will be with you every step of the way as you start the managerial phase of your career. It may initially feel like you are starting at square one, but FMA will be there to lend a guiding hand.
The column from the Federal Managers Association (FMA) is part of the FEDforum, an initiative to unite voices across the federal community. The FEDforum is a space for federal employee groups to share their organizations’ initiatives and activities with the FEDmanager audience.
Be sure to subscribe to FEDmanager so you never miss an update!