Washington –The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) is honored with a W. Edwards Deming Award in the employee engagement category by the Graduate School USA.  This award goes to a Federal agency for exemplifying excellence with an initiative that demonstrates innovation resulting in improved engagement, internal communication, and team-building.  GPO is recognized for creating the Leadership Evaluation and Development (LEAD) program, which for the past six years has empowered the next generation of GPO leaders by developing leadership skills and the tools to lead themselves, individuals, and teams.  The LEAD program is open to all GPO employees and more than 300 have graduated.

“It is a high honor to receive a Deming Award for our LEAD program, which has proven to make a difference in improving employee engagement at GPO,” said GPO Director Davita Vance-Cooks.  “As GPO continues to transform into the digital information platform for the Federal Government, it is important to focus our employees on the leadership attributes of inspiration, motivation, and accountability.” 

Dr. W. Edwards Deming was a renowned scholar and teacher for 50 years.  He published hundreds of papers and books covering statistical variance, systems thinking, and human psychology.  Dr. Deming believed that organizational “sharing” should be the theme, promoted the concept of a “we” organization rather than a “me” organization. He taught that transformation “is everyone’s job,” and that businesses seeking change must make a long-term commitment to new learning and new philosophy.  He trained thousands worldwide on his theories.