The precipitous dismissal of 33 employees at the Department of Economic Development is an example. It has the potential of creating a chilling effect that would discourage employees from risking new ideas. Statements made by senior advisers could raise questions about trust when one states, "The changes were the result of an analysis of the state's economic development effort that began more than a year ago. É There's been some careful planning. This isn't something we made a hurried decision on in a couple of days." Then six days later the same adviser tells the department's policy board, "We're not going to have our entire strategic plan in place the second week that we're operating." (Deseret Morning News, Jan 1, 8 and 14).

The 33 people dismissed may have served 10 or more years each and thus represent more than 350 years of experience and a significant investment in the state's work force. They were professionals who served their governor with pride. Even though the people knew they served at the governor's pleasure, their dismissal was still painful, as is any change, especially when dealing with human dignity.

Successful leaders of large organizations realize the greatest resources they have are the dedicated and talented public employees waiting to have their hopes renewed. As Robert Galvin, chairman of Motorola, said, "Successful leaders . . . must have the courage to take a risk and believe in the abilities of the people in their organization. . . . Leaders must establish an environment in which workers feel respected and valued."

The governor has taken on perhaps the most difficult problem of our time, that of renewing government so it can solve problems no other generation has had to face — dealing with rapid social change on a global scale. What he needs is our support in not only taking on the awesome task of renewing government but doing so consistent with our common values.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations and has served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net