The Filter Dilemma

Shortly

"The staff routinely intercepted e-mails, voicemails and paper correspondence under the pretext of 'protecting' " the boss, the employee wrote. "I, as everyone else, do understand that the volume of incoming messages at your level is probably unmanageable; however, the intentions or interpretations of the filterers in the front office may not serve your best interest."

This dilemma is one that many federal managers find all too familiar: Avoid drowning in the massive flow of information that comes with overseeing complex government programs while also making sure important details aren't kept from them. People block information out of fear, self-preservation, turf protection and many other reasons. "I am trying to avoid that, but I must admit that it does make it hard for me to keep up with the volumes," the new executive responded to the warning.