Final answer:
The bureaucratic characteristic referred to is the division of labor that allows President of the United States and other professionals to focus on their primary job responsibilities. The growth of the Executive Office has increased the complexity of managing the bureaucracy, placing a premium on the president's ability to work within this system and make strategic appointments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The president of the United States and a surgeon possess specialized roles that are symptomatic of a larger bureaucratic characteristic which allows them to focus on their primary responsibilities without needing expertise in other functional areas. This is due to the division of labor within a bureaucracy, ensuring that each person contributes to the organization according to their expertise and job description. The bureaucracy within the Executive Office requires the president to manage not just elected officials but also a broad swath of unelected officials who assist in running the nation's administrative affairs.
Managing the extensive bureaucracy, including Cabinet Secretaries and staff members, is nearly impossible for a single individual. Therefore, it is imperative for the president to understand how to work effectively within this system. The growth of the Executive Office implies that many of these officials navigate without constant presidential oversight, hence, adept management skills and strategic appointments by the president are crucial.
In the context of presidential governance, presidents learn to efficiently pave their way through political and legislative processes, often bypassing the need for collective approval through decisions like executive orders and federal pardons. However, despite the influential role presidents play in shaping policy and agenda, their real-time capabilities are constrained by the bureaucratic system.
Yet, it is this bureaucracy that provides the necessary structure for a government to function, despite any negative connotations the term may carry. Bureaucracy is essential for managing complex government tasks and policies where no single individual could feasibly possess all the knowledge or skills required for every aspect of governance.