“I promised a seamless and steady transition,” [Lt. Gov.] Parnell said. “These folks know what they’re doing. They’ve moved our state forward. That’s why I’ve asked them to stay”(Transition, 2009, ¶2)
[His] cabinet will include (Transition, 2009, ¶3):
Commissioner of Administration, Annette Kreitzer
Commissioner of Commerce, Emil Notti
Commissioner of Corrections, Joe Schmidt
Commissioner of Education and Early Development, Larry LeDoux
Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, Larry Hartig
Commissioner of Fish and Game, Denby Lloyd
Commissioner of Health and Social Services, Bill Hogan
Commissioner of Labor, Click Bishop
Commissioner of Natural Resources, Tom Irwin
Commissioner of Public Safety, Joe Masters
Commissioner of Revenue, Patrick Galvin
Commissioner of Transportation, Leo von Scheben
Attorney General Dan Sullivan
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Lieutenant General Craig Campbell has been designated to become Lieutenant Governor and a new Adjutant General will be named in the future (Transition, 2009, ¶4).
“Lieutenant Governor Parnell has earned our trust and respect by being a strong leader behind the scenes,” said DEC Commissioner Larry Hartig. “Now the rest of Alaska will get a closer look at the competence we’ve known all along” (Transition, 2009, ¶5).
In addition, Chief of Staff Mike Nizich, Deputy Chief of Staff Randy Ruaro, Office of Management and Budget Director Karen Rehfeld, and Legislative Liaison Jerry Gallagher have all agreed to stay with the Parnell administration (Transition, 2009, ¶6).
“I am very pleased that this experienced and committed group of public servants has agreed to continue their good work for Alaskans,” [Lt. Gov] Parnell said (Transition, 2009, ¶7).
Commentary
Lt. Governor Sean Parnell is on the same page as Governor Palin. The major accomplishment item for both parties has to do with leadership. The blog editor has referenced Transformational Leadership in numerous entries pertaining to Governor Palin. The steps she has followed on her job mirror those outlined by John Kotter in his Eight-Step Transformation (Change Management) Process. Those steps are:
- Increase Urgency
- Build the Guiding Team
- Get the Vision Right
- Communicate for Buy-in
- Empowering Action
- Create Short-Term Wins
- Do Not Let Up
- Make Change Stick
(Transformation Process, 2008).
This release by Lt. Governor Parnell is the result of Governor Palin’s excellent following of steps 2 and 8. She built a team 100% aligned with her vision. She purged from her midst anyone who could undermine her in any way, shape or form. Critics routinely lambaste her as “cruel,” but these purges are crucial element to any effective Transformational Leader.
Step 8 specifically says “develop the means to ensure leadership development and succession,” It’s one step few leaders get right and in most cases, the change they’ve worked so hard to achieve unravels. Not Governor Palin. She executed this step perfectly! This is why her resignation move was brilliant and why her critics are in such an uproar over it. Her agenda will be fulfilled, simulatenously Governor Palin’s critics will no longer be able to use her as their punching bag. She out-maneuvered every last one of them.
Every element of the Palin administration will remain intact following the elevation of Lt. Governor Parnell to Governor. His style and personality may be much different from hers, but the mission, vision, strategy, and tactics remain the same. The Palin administration will live on through the Parnell administration and only a fool would also not recognize that she is only a phone call away.
100-Percent Leadership Stand by Parnell. (2009, July 9). State of Alaska, Lieutenant Governor. Retrieved July 10, 2009 from: http://www.ltgov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=4261
John Kotter’s Transformation Process. (2008, December 12). US Army Business Transformation Knowledge Center. Retrieved July 10, 2009 from: http://www.army.mil/ArmyBTKC/enablers/cm/model3.htm
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