Let’s be honest: when you hear the words “we’re reorganizing” in a federal office, your blood pressure probably rises immediately. Whether that means your department is merging with another, you are getting a new leader or your whole agency is being reorganized, change at the federal level is scary. Your normal day-to-day routines may suddenly feel turned upside down. Feeling anxious is completely natural. However, what is not natural is letting those fears control you. If you can focus on aspects you can control, you will not only survive a reorg, but you can thrive in the midst of it.
Step Away from the Rumor Mill and Find the Facts
One of the first things to go in the face of a reorganization is communication. Expect the water cooler gossip and Teams conversations to grow, but be careful with these conversations. Anxiety breeds more anxiety, so take steps to quiet the noise. Read the official memos that are released, show up to town hall meetings and keep an eye out for new org charts when posted. Know exactly where your role is classified now, who is considered your immediate leadership and what the goal of this change is intended to be. If you do not have those answers yet, take a deep breath. Leadership may not yet have all the answers.
Reintroduce Yourself and Prove Your Worth
During a reorganization, you will likely be assigned to leaders who know nothing about you and how hard you work. Don’t expect them to read your mind. As soon as possible, compile a list of your recent accomplishments and what you can bring to the team. Send a polite email to your new supervisor requesting a 15-minute meeting to discuss your role. Keep the communication lines open! Ask them, “What are your biggest goals over the next few weeks? How can I help?” This flips the script of someone with problems and immediately identifies you as a solution provider.
Lean on Your Mission and Your Fellow Team Members
When you don’t know what you don’t know, it’s easy to feel helpless. In those moments, remember your mission. Are you fighting to protect the nation? Are you working to provide supplies to the warfighter? Regardless, the larger purpose hasn’t changed. Focus on what you can do to keep the work moving forward. Also, be proactive and reach out to the new employees joining your division. Send them a quick message that says, “Welcome to the team! Let me know if you have questions about anything.” Being friendly will help you both.
Reorganizations at the federal level are sometimes messy. The unknowns of a situation can be painful sometimes. There will be misunderstandings and changes of plans. But they are also part of working in the public service. If you can stay above the rumor-mill, demonstrate your value to new leadership, and keep your focus on the mission, you will survive. Once the dust settles, your new normal will feel normal again.
Driven by a commitment to public service excellence, Tasha Cheramie combines over a decade of federal acquisition expertise with a profound dedication to empowering her team, streamlining organizational processes, and driving agency success. She excels at guiding cross-functional units and aligning strategies with enterprise-wide objectives. Tasha has a passion for developing her team and making processes better, actively mentoring subordinates to foster their growth. Her leadership has been instrumental in establishing new contracting offices and shaping workforce development initiatives that ensure long-term organizational success.
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