Dan Humphreys’ Post

Something to think about

As we celebrate our nation's independence this week, it's important to reflect on the many ways government contractors contribute to the strength and prosperity of our country. In the world of government contracting, our work goes far beyond the bottom line. It's about providing essential services that keep America functioning and thriving. From supporting our armed forces and ensuring public safety to enhancing infrastructure and driving technological innovation, government contractors play a crucial role in maintaining the fabric of our society. Our efforts help secure the freedoms we cherish and enable the progress that fuels our nation's growth. Here's to building a better future for all Americans, one contract at a time. Have a safe and joyous Independence Day! #IndependenceDay #FourthOfJuly #GovernmentContracting #AuctionHouseConsulting

We learn and grow through building self-awareness, in behavioural competence and emotional intelligence, by understanding and comprehending that hate, racism, exclusion, and ableism, drag everyone down in a race to the bottom. There are innumerable negative consequences when we lack compassion for ourselves and Others. We reach our collaborative and infinite human potential by realizing that we are all worthy, dignified, awesome, integral, wonderful, intelligent, effortful, and capable Human Beings. Apologize when you have wronged another Person: Aim at taking absolute personal and professional responsibility for your own goodness of being human and we will attain the available betters in creating a completely caring, loving, equal, and respectfully good society. We rise by lifting and supporting Others.

Transitioning to civilian life? Our employment assistance program is here to help. #VeteranTransition #EmploymentAssistance #VeteranHSS #CivilianLife #CareerHelp #JobSearchSupport #TransitionSupport #NewCareerPath #DurhamNC #MilitaryToCivilian

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, we should reflect on its enduring legacy. This is likely to be the last ‘big’ commemoration as by the 90th anniversary, it’s unlikely any of the remaining veterans of Operation Overlord will be with us. The Normandy invasion on 6th June 1944 was the pivotal point in the ‘European Theatre of Operations’ in WWII. 150,000 Allied soldiers landed in France by sea and air to begin the liberation of Europe from the Nazis and reduce the pressure on the Russian Front. In the context of public services, the lessons of D-Day are particularly pertinent. Sectors such as healthcare, education and local public services are grappling with reduced budgets and increasing demand - an existential set of threats. The principles of teamwork and collaboration are essential as public service providers work together to deliver quality services under constrained resources. Leaders in public services must set the conditions for success by fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability, much like the approach Eisenhower took towards D-Day. The pressures on public services today require a strategic approach that prioritises impact. Combined Arms - Collaboration by Diverse Multidisciplinary Teams: The success of Operation Overlord depended on the cooperation of multiple Allied nations and branches of the Allied Armed Forces. The principle of ‘combined arms’ in the military, is about blending different capabilities to solve problems. The equivalent for modern public services leaders, is to ensure different types of professional with varied life experience, coming together to solve problems. Adaptability - Eisenhower's famous adage, "Planning is everything. The plan is nothing," has never been more relevant. We live in VUCA times. It’s impossible to eliminate the risks posed by the external environment but we can build organisations able to adapt. The role of the leader is to signal that ambiguity is OK. Assuming Responsibility and Setting the Conditions for Success - Eisenhower's willingness to take full responsibility for the invasion's outcome, regardless of its success or failure, exemplifies true leadership. Modern leaders have a responsibility to ‘set the conditions for success’ by providing teams with what they need whether that be finance, technology or psychological safety. That burden also means taking ultimate responsibility so teams can focus on their role getting stuff done. I’m interested in other lessons for public service leaders from D-Day. Please share your thoughts below. #DDay #healthcare #government #publicservices

Something to think about

YOU’RE IN THE ARMY NOW? The suggestion from various military leaders that the UK should reconsider conscription – or, as it’s usually referred to in peacetime, National Service – has sparked some depressing kneejerk reactions. According to YouGov polling, 38% of under-40s say they would refuse to serve in the event of a new world war – 30% wouldn’t serve even if our country was being invaded. 👉 Can you imagine if Britons during the Blitz had taken that approach?! But let’s take a step back. Without conjuring emotive images of sons and daughters dying on battlefields, the truth is National Service could bring a number of advantages, both to individuals and society at large. Conscription doesn’t necessarily need to be all-or-nothing once people reach a certain age. There are many types of limited, volitional service in other countries. Currently in the UK, 12.8% of those aged 16 to 24 are unemployed – that’s 540,000 young people. National Service could provide them with a vital first step in their professional lives, bringing with it work experience, skills, discipline and responsibility. Not unlike the expansive nationwide apprenticeship programme I’ve long championed. Many studies show that National Service also encourages greater national unity, civic engagement, and social cohesion. All highly beneficial. _______________ And, of course, we can’t overlook the urgent need to bolster our national security in the face of intensifying global conflicts. On our own doorstep, many experts are now warning that Europe at large will be at war with Russia within six to twenty years. We are simply not prepared for that. In the UK, our Armed Forces are depleted to historically low numbers not seen since the mid-19th century, with just 142,000 personnel. That’s nearly two-thirds less than the standing troop numbers before the First or Second World Wars. Even as recently as the Falklands War in 1982, the numbers were closer to 350,000. Our esteemed British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF) are mere shadows of their former selves. The UK is not alone in confronting mobilisation challenges. Many European countries – including Austria, Greece, Denmark, Lithuania and even Switzerland - never got rid of National Service. (And neither did adversaries like Russia and China!) Sweden recently reintroduced and other allies, including Germany and Australia, are also considering drafts of their own. The fact is, with aggressive adversaries like Russia, we need to replenish both combat-ready troops and reservists should the worst happen. Conscription may not be very popular – but it does make sense. #conscription #nationalservice #nationalsecurity #armedforces

Thanks Brooks for calling attention to this important issue. If inclined, please read and comment on what you would like to see addressed to help meet the recruiting shortfalls.

According to our 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, the top solution for military spouses facing unemployment and underemployment is "working with large corporations to design military spouse-friendly work options." Tomorrow marks the eighth Annual Military Spouse Employment Summit: A Call To Action for American Businesses. #BSF and other panelists will lead a discussion around the 4+1 Commitment and military spouse employment. Watch the live stream: https://bit.ly/3UbHNR0 This voluntary commitment asks employers to adopt at least one of the following military spouse-ready employment policies and to consider joining an existing government program: 👉 Facilitate job transferability 👉 Offer remote or telework options 👉 Offer flexible work hours 👉 Provide paid or permissive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) leave To learn more about the 4+1 Commitment and how you can sign on, click here: https://bit.ly/3Grp2mq Hiring Our Heroes United States Department of Defense American Corporate Partners (ACP) Starbucks T-Mobile PenFed Credit Union Telemynd USAA Nextdoor Comcast Navy Federal Credit Union First Command Financial Services, Inc. Booz Allen Hamilton TriWest Healthcare Alliance Johnson & Johnson

#DidYouKnow that today is #NationalHireAVeteranDay? All government agencies must provide differential pay when and if their #Reserve or #NationalGuard #military employees have orders for training or are become an active component. If you're a non-government corporation, attract your top talent with differential pay (the difference in pay between temporary duty and your employee's ongoing salary) and get to know corporate laws that support and protect #militaryemployees so they can continue to provide the benefits you see everyday as civilians! ➡ The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), provides for military leave and reemployment rights for veterans and reservists and bars discrimination and retaliation based on an employee's military service. ➡ The Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2004, requires employers to provide a notice informing their employees of their rights, benefits and obligations under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). This includes an option of extending employer-related health benefits for 2 year period. ➡ Get to know the protections for military family members as well. Under amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers with 50 or more employees must allow up to 26 weeks of leave for eligible family members of certain military personnel to care for service members. Reach out to us at: [email protected] if you need clarity and/or you can likewise find additional information on the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): https://www.esgr.mil/