Change can be scary, especially when there are unknowns involved and you are expected to work as usual. U.S. presidents can change every four or eight years; when they do, there is a lot of uncertainty in federal agencies.

In the Insider's View, former OPM directors Janice Lachance and Linda Springer urge present and future political leaders to keep the lines of communication open and appreciate their career staff during the presidential transition. Both have led staff through administration transitions.

"There is probably no time when career civil servants are more needed and depended on for their leadership and institutional knowledge than during a transition," says Springer. "Agency workers need reassurance, and career leaders are in a unique position to provide that stabilizing force."

Career members of the Senior Executive Service are vital to the success of agencies during this time of change. They have to ensure "that the business of government continues uninterrupted," write Emily Connelly and David Garcia in the Perspectives article. These career executive employees are not only responsible for shepherding their agencies through this transition, but they also are expected to be important resources for the political appointees.

When employees are faced with unsettling change, engagement and commitment can suffer. It is essential that these career executives lead during this crucial time.

This month's issue also examines design thinking and the role it plays in innovation and citizen engagement, the need to change behavior through compliance training, and how to recruit and retain the federal cybersecurity workforce.

The federal government is approaching a critical time of the year. The budget process always leaves federal employees unsettled, and a new administration will keep civil workers on their toes during the first half of 2017. As managers, you need to lean on your career executives to help get through this time of change.

Paula Ketter

Editor, The Public Manager

[email protected]