LEADERSHIP/career development

September is a natural time to reflect on the close of one fiscal year and begin planning for the next. The UPMA Career Development Team is doing just that, and retirees continue to play an essential role in this work. Since the KSA Assistance benefit launched 17 months ago, more than 6,000 Associate members have joined UPMA, many with goals of upward mobility. Retired members benefit from these Associates through dues until they move into EAS positions and become Active members. Retirees also lead and staff much of the Career Development program: all Area Team Leads are retirees, many of the 74 KSA Assistants who have supported more than 1,800 members are retired, and the new Interview Preparation program includes three Retiree Team Leads. This volunteer work is meaningful, and additional help is needed to meet the growing number of requests submitted through the portal.

We welcome your skills, time, and commitment at any level you can offer. Whether you can contribute a few hours or several days, your support will make a difference. Experience serving on a Review Board, interviewing or selecting applicants, or working in Human Resources, training, or communications is especially valuable. Retirees with backgrounds in Plant, Maintenance, Custodial, or other areas outside Retail and Delivery can help ensure KSAs use accurate terminology and processes. Skills with Excel, Teams, Google Docs, Zoom, or video tools are also needed. There is a place for every retiree who wants to give back to honor those who supported their career and to help build the future USPS leadership bench. We also continue to need recruiters to help sign up more Associate members and would be glad to share more information.

If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact me using the information below. I would be happy to answer your questions and connect you with the group that best fits your interests and experience. Two quotes about legacy leadership resonate with me: “It’s not what you take with you, it’s what you leave behind,” and “What you leave for people is not as important as what you leave in people.” Please consider how you can support Career Development and leave a lasting legacy of leadership.

Respectfully,

Debra Alums
UPMA National Career Development Team Lead

Debraalums53@gmail.com

Hello Leaders

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What does transformational leadership look like in action? Consider the remarkable journey of Nick James, a Level 25 MPOO in the Florida 1 District, who oversees 49 offices and leads a workforce of over 1,400 employees. In less than one fiscal year, Nick propelled his district’s performance ranking from 154th to an impressive 30th — a leap that speaks volumes about the power of visionary leadership.

     Though Nick is not within my direct chain of command, his reputation for inspiring excellence precedes him. He recently joined the UPMA LEADership Development Call, where he shared insights into the principles that drive his success. I’ve had the privilege of speaking with Nick personally, and I can say without hesitation — his approach to leadership is both captivating and deeply effective.  

     Nick leads with empathy and intentionality. He listens not only with logic but with heart, creating a culture where every team member feels heard and valued. He empowers his employees with autonomy, but never without equipping them with the training and confidence to act decisively. His teams don’t wait for direction — they take initiative, driven by a shared commitment to excellence. He understands that engagement is the cornerstone of performance. High standards are non-negotiable, but Nick ensures they are attainable. His team consistently delivers because they trust his integrity, his judgment, and his unwavering support. He is a servant leader in the truest sense — one who recognizes that morale isn’t a soft metric, but a strategic imperative.

While some leaders lean on positional authority, Nick exemplifies what leadership scholars call “Referent Power” — the ability to inspire through respect, trust, and genuine care. His employees strive for success not out of obligation, but because they know their leader is invested in their wellbeing and growth. He fosters loyalty through transparency, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of operational excellence. Nick James stands out not just for what he achieves, but for how he achieves it. His leadership is a masterclass in building selfless high-performing teams through trust, empowerment, and purpose. For those of us committed to elevating the standards of leadership across the Postal Service, Nick is a shining example of what’s possible. 

After Nick’s appearance on the UPMA LEADership Development Call, the UPMA National Office started receiving calls and emails asking questions about how he took his MPOO group from 154^th to 30^th .  Below is a link to a short video that Nick recorded where he walks us through his process. 

https://youtu.be/XxiVPTyCaaI?si=ux8_XnVVUU4zNAzE

Kevin E. Terry
Host of the UPMA LEADership Development Program