When appointed by the president to lead an agency, what challenge does the new appointee typically encounter?

When a new appointee is selected by the president to lead an agency, one of the primary challenges they typically face is that subordinates wield considerable power. This situation arises because these subordinates often have extensive experience and institutional knowledge that are critical to the agency's operations. They understand the history, politics, and inner workings of the organization far better than a new appointee, who may be unfamiliar with specific protocols and challenges.

As a result, subordinates can exert significant influence over decision-making processes and can either facilitate or hinder the appointee’s initiatives. They may have established relationships within the agency and with external stakeholders, which can shape the response to new policies or changes the appointee wishes to implement. This dynamic requires the appointee to navigate existing power structures, gain the trust of experienced staff, and build alliances in order to effectively lead and enact their vision for the agency.