NIH – “Some of the best and the worst of government jobs.”

Pros

The organization's mission is the best reason to work at NIH: the majority of scientists, clinicians, and support staff believe in what they are doing and strive to make things better.

Cons

The organization's sheer size sometimes makes it difficult to perform simple tasks. Institutes and centers do not always listen to each other and often compete for resources.

Advice to Senior Management

Provide more opportunities for trans-NIH collaboration. Try to bridge the gaps between different and sometimes competing organizations. Consolidation is one approach but it's not the only solution.