Leading Through Change
With multiple executive orders focused on reducing the functions and size of the federal workforce and the Department of Government Efficiency’s ongoing efforts to streamline government operations and cut federal spending, federal employees are now working to identify new paths forward to meet agency missions and serve the American public effectively. These rapid changes in funding availability, realignment of functions and responsibilities, and abrupt changes to in-office work requirements have resulted in many questions and concerns about operationalizing new policies and delivering results.
The National Academy of Public Administration staff has been collaborating with Academy Fellows to develop concise, action-oriented white papers to address key issues facing federal leaders in the current rapidly evolving environment. These papers build on extensive research and studies conducted by the Academy, key findings from convenings and forums, and deep expertise from Academy Fellows who have held leadership positions in federal agencies. All have navigated challenging landscapes and identified opportunities for continued mission delivery of key functions to the American public.
Some of the topic areas explored include addressing specific challenges related to operationalizing administration policy effectively during a complex restructuring and rebuilding process. As functions (and sometimes offices) are relocated, key considerations to explore include leadership, human capital, technology, and legal authorities and functions.
For example, the first installment of this series will provide guidance for both political appointees and career civil servants as they navigate a rapidly evolving landscape and work to implement meaningful and effective policies. This concise five-page document works to summarize practical considerations for political appointees to understand operations, gain clarity on how to prioritize the goals for the agency, and build trust with career leaders for a common purpose. The document shines a light on considerations for career civil servants to create environments for the achievement of administration goals, provide solutions and support to guide successful policy implementation, and work to build trust for a common purpose as well.
DOWNLOAD THE FIRST WHITE PAPER
Academy staff and Fellows are also developing action-oriented solutions and guidance to agencies as they respond to mandates established to return all employees to full-time work in the office. This paper will provide guidance for managing the transitions that include physical footprint constraints, concerns about work-life balance and morale, and highlights potential new opportunities for collaboration and engagement.
A third group of staff and Fellows is developing strategies for optimizing performance within agencies with significantly decreased budgets. Areas to be highlighted will include the key attributes of successful leadership in resource-constrained environments, management techniques and methodologies that drive performance, and prioritization of decision making and budgeting. It will draw on best practices in both the public and private sectors and examples of successful implementation of effective strategies.
All the white papers acknowledge the challenges of transition and the divisive nature of governing that can obstruct effective resource management and stifle innovation and creativity. They draw heavily on best practices from prior Academy research and thought leadership, as well as past experiences of practitioners and esteemed academics in the public administration space. The common thread for all these initiatives is the opportunity to continue the dialogue and encourage space for discussion focused on delivering services to the American people effectively and efficiently.
