FIN February Salon Recap: Navigating Federal Innovation with Sandeep Patel
This piece is part of Innovation in Transition, a new series exploring how federal innovators adapt and thrive amid shifting administrations. As we spotlight leaders like Sandeep Patel—whose journey from challenge-driven innovation to leading at BARDA exemplifies resilience and impact—we also lift up collective wisdom from across the federal innovation community.
During FIN’s February Salon, the discussion focused on how federal innovators can maintain momentum amid shifting administrations. Event participants shared candid reflections on navigating change, addressing bureaucratic challenges, and leveraging both traditional relationships and modern tools to drive innovation. Despite a challenging environment marked by reduced dialogue between political appointees and career civil servants, the conversation surfaced several practical strategies:
Bridging Communication Gaps: With fewer opportunities for open dialogue between political leadership and career professionals, innovators must proactively seek out informal interactions and build internal networks to ensure clear communication and shared understanding.
Leveraging Informal Networks: Informal relationships—such as hallway conversations and impromptu meetings—are essential for staying connected and fostering collaboration during times of administrative uncertainty.
Strategic Messaging & Planning: Using existing strategic plans as a framework is a great way to keep initiatives on track, even when policies shift unexpectedly. Tailoring messages to align with evolving priorities can help safeguard project momentum.
Embracing Modern Tools: Generative AI and other digital tools are valuable for refining communications and rapid idea generation. That said, they excel when complemented by human judgment and deep institutional knowledge.
Mentorship and Ally Building: Establishing mentors and building alliances within the agency were identified as critical steps. Cultivating relationships with trusted colleagues can provide guidance, share institutional history, and help innovators navigate bureaucratic challenges.
Adapting to a New Environment: The current transition presents unique challenges compared to past experiences. Success, in this context, is defined not only by achieving measurable outcomes but also by demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to sustaining core missions despite uncertainty.
