Why Sarah Palin is so Successful

February 7, 2010 by admin.

The day after Sarah Palin gave her keynote at the first ever Tea Party convention I watched the speech on You-Tube, and read about some of the highlights of her statements on various web sites.

Most of the Left in America find her distasteful, even disgusting. I have read or heard from leftists every kind of nasty proclamation about her. I cannot understand the vitriol  leftist liberals use when addressing her.  I find the woman fascinating for a variety of reasons. Personally, I see her as a real-world person, as opposed to a silver-spoon elitist who has never had to work for a living. She believes in God - so do I. She is people-oriented, understands what the working man and woman in this country are all about. She represents the America outside Boston, New York, Chicago or L.A. - that section of America where the “unwashed masses” live, and as Jimmy Stewart said, where “most of the living and dying goes on.”

I am currently reading a very good book titled Transformational and Charismatic Leadership: The Road Ahead, by Bruce J. Avolio, and Francis J. Yammarino (2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Bingley, UK).  The book discusses what makes up charismatic leaders, and talks about developments to expect in the next 35 years (2001 - 2034). One of the points the authors make is “…by 2034, a considerably larger percentage of CEOs in the USA compared to today will be women…” and minorities (p. 381). They also note that “Patterns of leadership behavior are likely to change by 2034 as women tend to be more transformational than their male counterparts…do more networking, are more focused on relationships and are more concerned about…social justice, equity, and fairness” (p. 381).

The interesting word in the previous quotation is transformational. This is exactly the kind of leadership Sarah Palin is exhibiting, as opposed to the old transactional style. To be fair, great leaders switch between both styles, depending on the circumstances, but the point is that leaders who primarily operate within a transformational framework are far more successful than their transactional counterparts. Within that construct, it is important to understand the difference between the two:

Transactional Leadership

Contingent reward -You will be suitably rewarded, provided you accomplish this task or goal.

Active management by exception - Leaders are always looking for errors, and stand at the ready to provide guidance.

Passive management by exception - Leaders take a less proactive approach, getting involved only when problems occur.

Laissez-faire leadership - Literally, “let the people do as they choose…”

 Transformational Leadership

Influence (charisma) - Regardless of how the left despises her, makes fun of her, calls her every kind of vile name they can imagine, she manages to rise to the top with a smile on her face, exuding self-confidence.

Inspirational motivation - She believes a higher power has control over man’s destiny. She obtains her inspiration from a higher source than socialist-leaning law school professors.

Intellectual stimulation - Some describe Sarah as stupid. But the times I have watched her, she comes across as one whose thoughts are organized, well-formulated and balanced.  I find statements such as the one she made at the Tea Party convention highly stimulating - “What we need is a Commander-In-Chief, not a law-school professor at the lectern.”

Individualized consideration -Many in the left are not concerned about the individual - they see a broader social picture. Sarah Palin has proven she can focus on individuals, as well as speak to huge groups.

Networking - Appearing out of nowhere to stand alongside John McCain for the 2008 Republican Presidential campaign, Ms. Palin has gone on to become influential in a variety of ways, including writing, and now speaking to a public audience over nationally syndicated television. Thus she has dramatically increased her sphere of influence and now has the ear of many who are well equipped to bring about real, actual, meaningful transformation in society.

Focused on relationships - Ms. Palin exhibits this no more clearly than with her family. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to manage all of the myriad responsibilities she has and continue to maintain a strong family life, but she does. She has said before that her family is the motivating factor for her to continue doing what she is doing. But, unlike elitists, it is not about the money or the power, it is about the vision, the purpose, and the people.

Concerned about social justice, equity, fairness - Without naming names in the current administration, it is clear that there is one-sided social justice at work, a social justice that most Americans do not share. Conversely, Ms. Palin sees the need for the kind of social justice that brings criminals to justice, rewards hard work, and dignifies the “Joe Six-Pack” of America.

Innovative - I am continually surprised with the ideas and notions Ms. Palin displays, especially in the face of tremendous adversity.

Responsive - She is not afraid to countermand opposition attacks with the confidence of her convictions, and a swift repartee) and she is ready to meet the needs of Americans.

Flexible - Nowhere is this more closely exhibited than in her efforts during the McCain campaign. I kept wishing that she was running for president and had a suitable vice-presidential nominee, rather than the other way around.

Perhaps a Sarah Palin & Scott Brown ticket is in order for the 2012 campaign. Both of these individuals are young, with a transformational leadership style, a can-do attitude, and a respect for all of the things that have made America great, and which leftists with a socialist agenda wish to destroy.

God bless America.

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