Feedback in Action: TMS’s Trusted Approach to Developing Federal Leaders

The Way to Leadership

Across the federal government, agencies are investing in leadership—but how do they make sure that investment pays off?

At Technical Management Services (TMS), leadership growth starts with insight. For more than a decade, TMS has guided thousands of federal leaders through 360-degree feedback processes—using candid input from colleagues and teams to inform coaching, workshops, and long-term development.

TMS’s clients have included major federal agencies such as:

• Department of Justice
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Labor
• Department of Transportation
• NASA
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• U.S. Air Force
• U.S. Navy
• Social Security Administration
• and many more

If you work with government clients, need to navigate changing leadership frameworks, or want to build trust in a high-stakes environment, keep reading to learn how TMS and SurveyConnect do it.

TMS: A Legacy of Leadership Development

Since 1990, Technical Management Services (TMS) has worked with federal agencies to strengthen leadership at every level. Through a blend of feedback, coaching, and tailored training programs, TMS helps leaders develop the skills they need to lead with confidence and clarity—especially during times of transition.

Supporting that effort is Keith Russell. Keith leads the company’s leadership development programs, including seminar design, executive coaching, and survey integration.

Since joining, he’s helped TMS grow its leadership team from a few instructors to a nationwide network. TMS now operates with a network of roughly 25 instructors, allowing them to deliver leadership programs concurrently across the country. This scale ensures federal agencies receive consistent, high-quality leadership development that aligns with their mission needs.

“What I love about my job is that I get to help people learn new strategies on how they can lead their organizations more effectively. It’s fulfilling to be part of what is very likely to have a positive impact on an organization.” — Keith Russel, TMS

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Meeting the Unique Demands of Federal Leadership Development

In 2011, TMS identified the need for a specialized 360-degree survey solution that could be tailored to federal agencies. The solution had to align with Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), adapt across different organizational cultures, and maintain high standards of confidentiality and trust.

“In the federal space, you can’t just parachute in with a pre-made program. Agencies have different cultures, missions, and political pressures. You’ve got to listen first.”

Federal procurement added another layer of complexity. Agencies often issued long, detailed RFQs. TMS’s ability to customize survey structures and delivery methods while maintaining fidelity to agency requirements became a defining strength.

Leadership churn also created continuous demand for actionable feedback. New leaders often stepped into roles quickly, and TMS provided ongoing development processes that helped them adapt immediately and effectively.

And for the surveys to be effective, participants had to believe their input was confidential and that the process would be taken seriously.

“Participants have to trust the feedback process. They have to believe in the process or they won’t contribute.”

A Collaborative Approach: TMS + SurveyConnect

TMS’s search for a partner began with a phone call from Keith—and an unexpected hang-up.

“It didn’t start as a big contract or anything. It started with a phone call and a good conversation. That’s the kind of collaboration you want: where people are in it with you, not just selling you something.”

He was looking for a small, local company in the Denver area that could help deliver 360-degree feedback tools tailored to federal leadership needs. When he called SurveyConnect, founder Marcie Levine picked up.

“She picks up the phone, and she says, ‘This is SurveyConnect, this is Marcie speaking. Can I help you?’ And I said, ‘Well, how are you doing today, Marcie?’ And she says, ‘I don’t want any,’ and she hung up on me.”

Amused, Keith took a chance and called back.

“I said, ‘Marcie, please don’t hang up. I’m not trying to sell you something. I’m trying to buy something from you.’ She was so embarrassed… she goes, ‘Okay, I’m going to hang up the phone and you’re going to call me back.’ And I said, ‘Okay.’”

That second call marked the beginning of a productive, long-term partnership.

Working from the government’s Executive Core Qualifications, TMS and SurveyConnect built a survey framework grounded in 37 core leadership competencies, such as Resilience and Conflict Management.

This foundation ensured every survey reflected federal leadership priorities while allowing for agency-specific customization.

The result was a flexible system that could adapt to agency requirements with quick turnaround and reliability. Survey data became the cornerstone for TMS’s leadership workshops and executive coaching, enabling federal leaders to translate feedback directly into action.

Even after SurveyConnect changed ownership in 2024, the collaboration continued to thrive—evidence of a resilient, trust-based relationship that federal clients could rely on.

“The collaboration is amazing. And… through the collaboration of both companies, we’ve been able to continue to keep things on track and build business.”

Proven Impact: Thousands of Leaders Equipped to Succeed

With SurveyConnect as a trusted partner, TMS has delivered thousands of 360-degree surveys to federal agencies—each one part of a larger development journey.

TMS ensures leaders not only receive feedback but also develop personalized action plans through coaching and workshops. This high-touch, data-driven approach equips leaders to navigate complexity, build trust, and strengthen organizational performance.

Over time, federal agencies have come to associate the process not just with effective outcomes—but with the TMS + SurveyConnect partnership itself. Both names carry recognition and trust in government leadership development.

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Key Takeaways: Lessons For Building Stronger Leaders

• Feedback is a starting point, not the finish line. 360-degree surveys must lead to action through coaching, training, or strategic development.
• The right partner extends your capabilities. Trusted partnerships enable organizations to scale without sacrificing quality or credibility.
• Flexibility wins in complex environments. Customization is essential when working across diverse government agencies with unique missions and cultures.

For organizations seeking to develop stronger leaders through actionable feedback and a proven partner, SurveyConnect and TMS offer a proven, flexible solution. Discover how SurveyConnect can support your leadership goals.