Is Sarah Palin A Poster Child for Success?
November 20, 2009
This week Sarah Palin’s books hit the market and talk about a fanfare! Whether you love her or hate her (and there are few who are in the middle) you have to admit she makes us all take a deep breath and ponder what does success means today.
On the one hand, she has a following in conservative groups because she says what they’re thinking and stands up to the “liberal media and liberal agenda”. Political movers and shakers in the Republican Party are all aghast that she just won’t go away quietly. And her book, which sounds like a tell all on the makings of a presidential candidate, is causing a firestorm of conversations.
So what are the lessons on success we can learn when you step out of the emotionalism surrounding her? Who really defines what is successful – the public, leaders in an organization or the person? After years of research we know success is defined by the individual. So…What are the possibilities for Mrs. Palin’s future job success?
a) Everyone is asking, “Is she preparing to mount a bid to be the 2012 Presidential candidate for the Republican Party”. Since Mrs. Palin went “rouge” it is clear that she has bigger aspirations than to be the governor of Alaska, a mother, a wife and a moose hunter. Being President is just one goal but there are a lot of others for her to consider.
b) There are people who think she’s looking at a possible talk show, movie deal or news commentary position in her future or
c) Of course she could be looking to form a “Mavericks R Us or Going Rouge” coalition with people who believe she’s just right on a number of issues that no one wants to talk about. Issues like, Levi Johnston is simply being used and selling tantalizing photos of his body is wrong, government spending that leads to high deficits is wrong, expecting politicians to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.
The truth is no one knows how she defines or measures success but she has all the hallmarks of one who will be successful.
1) Passion- no matter what you think of her politics Sarah Palin is passionate about stirring the pot and influencing politics. She has consistently demonstrated excitement, drive and stick-to-it-ness in spite of popular opinion. All the signs of someone who’s passionately believes in their purpose and competence.
2) Purpose – We may not know for sure what she believes is her purpose but one thing is clear she does believe that our political system needs a shake up and she’s the woman to do the shaking.
3) Decisive – The Republican Party (and for that matter every other party) is split and non-functional. Before you jump down my throat just take a look at the last mid-term elections. In spite of record turnouts for the Presidential elections voters were disenchanted and simply not engaged with the November elections. The spirited debates, the call to action and the interest in the candidates was missing in action folks. That’s an opportunity for someone who can electrify the populist. And she sees the opportunity and is willing to go after it.
4) A Plan – We may not know it but it looks like she knows where she’s going and is flexible enough to capitalize on whatever comes her way.
5) Lastly, her execution appears efficient and (at least for right now) effective. Time will tell whether she’s good at execution. However one thing is for sure. The final judgment on how well she executes is determined by Sarah Palin not us. Only she can say whether, in the end, she achieved her goals. Just look at Al Gore. One door closed for him and he opened another and today by his own admission is happy, following his passion and making money doing it.
Hmmm?!? Given what we know about success, I’d say this lady has what it takes.
