The Foreign Service Journal, April 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2013 47 AFSA NEWS The U.S. Department of Agriculture is engaged in a cultural transformation initiative with the goal of making the agency a premier organization with an engaged and motivated work force. Unfortunately, we are falling short of this goal. As reported in the 2012 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, more than half of Foreign Agricultural Service employees responded nega- tively when asked whether our leaders generate high levels of motivation and com- mitment in the workplace. For the goal to have meaning, the words need to be backed up with behavior change that starts with the top ranks. FAS has always been an intensely mission-focused agency, with little patience for spending a lot of time praising good work or toler- ance for anything less than 100-percent dedication to work and career. The attitude could be summed up as “We thank you every day for the work you do—it’s called a paycheck.” Given the current budget environment, it is hard to argue with that. However, this viewpoint may have contributed to a culture of negativism that is turning out to be counter- productive. While negative feedback and criticism (and, in extreme cases, yelling and bullying) can get results in the short run, a more positive work environment is much more productive over the long haul.  As we work to imple- ment the department’s cultural transformation goals, we need to focus on what motivates people to excel and go the extra mile. One of those intangibles is a feeling of being valued. Day-to-day positive feed- back, which costs nothing and may be more important for morale over the long run, goes beyond the formal awards program. To quote former Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, we need to combat the “nattering nabobs of negativism.” FAS is a great agency that does work that is vital to rural America, so it should also be one of the best places to work in the government. While it won’t solve all of our problems, highlighting the positive, and treating all employees with the respect and appreciation they deserve, are a good place to start. n A Kinder, Gentler and More Productive Workplace FAS VP VOICE | BY DAVID MERGEN Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA FAS VP. FAS is a great agency that does work that is vital to rural America, so it should be one of the best places to work in the government. Notice: AFSA Officer Election The 2013 AFSA Officer and Governing Board election is under way. Details about the election, including the rules, can be found at www.afsa.org/ elections.  Candidates’ campaign literature, along with a ballot, will be made available to members on the AFSAWeb site. Campaigning through employer e-mail by any member is prohibited (with the excep- tion of the three pre-approved candidate e-mail blasts). • Ballots: Ballots will be distributed on or about April 15 by e-mail if you have a valid e-mail address on file with AFSA, or by printed ballot via the U.S. Postal Service. If you do not receive a ballot by May 6, please contact election@afsa.org. • Ballot Tally: On June 6, at 9 a.m., the printed ballots will be picked up from the post office in Washington, D.C. Printed ballots must be received at the post office to be counted. Online voting will also be available until June 6, at 9 a.m., when the voting site will close. • Election Information: Written requests for a duplicate ballot should be directed to election@ afsa.org or sent to AFSA Committee on Elections, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. Please include your full name, current address, e-mail address and telephone number. NEWS BRIEF Support the New U.S. Diplomacy Center and Museum The new U.S. Diplomacy Center and Museum will showcase the history and importance of diplomacy and development. A groundbreaking at the 21st Street NW side of the Department of State will take place this summer. AFSA strongly supports this project and is coordinating a donation campaign. We invite every member of the Foreign Service to show support by making a secure, modest contribution at www.afsa.org/usdc. To learn more about the USDC, please visit diplomacy.state.gov. NEWS BRIEF