Key Leaders with Kyo Dolan: Motivated by Mission, Protecting the American People

The all-new Key Leaders series features Robert M. Tobias awardees' takes on working in the public service, how they learned from challenges and some advice for future public servants. Today's post features 2022 awardee, Kyo Dolan, Special Agent in Charge, Richmond Field Office, U.S. Secret Service.

What attracted you to public service / federal government??

I have always had a deep desire to serve my country and to protect the freedoms that we get to experience every day.

What keeps you energized about your work today?

Working with my dedicated colleagues, knowing that we are making a difference literally every day to enhance the national security of our great nation – whether that’s protecting our nation’s leaders or our financial infrastructure – truly keeps me energized every day.

Describe a time where you had to address a particularly challenging problem and what you learned from the experience.

I was tasked to lead a group of individuals with varying backgrounds in terms of tenure, neurodiversity, ethnicity, and experience. While working on a particular project, a few individuals were having a challenging time communicating effectively. Leveraging what I learned from conflict management and leading with emotional intelligence, specifically the importance of understanding each of my team members, it helped me to identify the source of the frustration with their colleagues’ responses.?In doing so, I was able to efficiently direct an effective solution for successful collaboration.

How did your time in the Key Executive Certificate Program impact your understanding of leadership?

During my time in the Key Executive Certificate Program at American University, we discussed numerous topics at length that directly related to effective leadership and professional growth. This wonderful program provided a holistic viewpoint of the critical aspects of being an effective leader. One example of many, includes identifying and implementing the processes and principles of effective conflict management to lead with emotional intelligence.

What advice would you give to people thinking about working in the public service?

First and foremost, I would absolutely support anyone who is considering working in public service and has a desire to make a difference. I would recommend a few initial steps: that they dig deep to identify what matters to them; conduct an exercise of self-reflection; then begin identifying the various federal state and local government agencies that serve missions aligned with their personal values and passions. For example, if they are passionate about safeguarding our nation’s leaders as well as our financial infrastructure and bringing justice to cyber criminals who defraud elderly individuals, then they would truly believe in the integrated mission of the U.S. Secret Service.

The reason I recommend this is because there will be days and even weeks at work that are incredibly challenging, yet when you deeply believe in serving that mission, it carries you through those times.

Finally, I would absolutely recommend that they reach out to individuals they already know who are working in public service to get additional insight and guidance as they begin to draft a path specific for them. I am always willing to talk with individuals who are interested in federal law enforcement to provide insight on what this work and lifestyle really entails. This assists them in having a better understanding of the requirements of the job so they can determine if it’s a good fit for them and the agency.?

What makes working in the public service unique?

Working in public service is unique in that it allows one to truly understand and appreciate what it means to serve the American people every day by safeguarding their liberties.

?Learn more about the Robert M. Tobias Awards.