"One prime piece of advice I have is that new deputies should invest early on in interagency-deputy secretary relationships," said McKinsey's Jesse Salazar.

A new OPM memo encourages agencies to ensure a “disproportionate number” of employees don’t receive the highest ratings on their annual performance reviews.

"Let's invest in the communities we want, not just cut taxes for wealthy and then cut spending," said Gbenga Ajilore, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.