What we have here is a failure to communicate. It’s a worn-out line from a great movie, but it is true. Even the warden in “Cool Hand Luke,” who had a variety of motivational tools at his disposal, recognized a problem when he saw it. It’s sad that our governor does not.

The fact is, we don’t really talk with each other very much these days. And why would we? Who wants to actually sit down with another person and have an extended dialogue, or even just shoot the breeze? In this era of immediate gratification, efficiency wins out over the personal touch. Why take the time to actually look someone in the eye, to listen to more than you have time to hear? Why go retail when it is so much easier to go wholesale?

Simple: Because that is how solid, working relationships develop and grow. That is how business contacts become partners, how couples become husbands and wives and how new neighbors become valued friends. And when you think about it, there is no situation where developing relationships is more important, where communication is more critical, than in the interaction between the elected officials charged with leading our state.

Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is a governor with a failure to communicate. Gov. Mark Sanford promotes himself as an outsider, an agent of change, who throws ideas out for discussion as part of the public discourse. He was hired by the voters to get things done, and while there have been moderate successes, the defeats have led to casting blame on the members of the House and Senate. Deflecting accountability may garner praise for him from national publications and help with the fund-raising, but it’s not moving the Sanford agenda forward.

No one can govern by press conference, and it’s certainly no way to work with the General Assembly. And no more farm animals, governor. If the horse and buggy is a must, then offer a member of the House or Senate a ride — make a friend. Calling for monumental change without being willing to change your own approach is a bit contradictory.

Look, even the finest organizations, companies and institutions need shaking up, and our state government is at the top of that list. But how the concept of change is communicated and the credibility of the messenger make all the difference.

Think about it this way: Change from within — led by someone you know, someone you trust and respect — is reform. Change from outside — led by someone who you don’t really know, who doesn’t attempt to get to know you, whose next move is uncertain and who has shown a willingness to make you the enemy — is revolution. Sure, reform takes longer, but it will be more substantial, and is less likely to involve guillotines.

With all of his solid ideas and personal charm, Gov. Sanford, I think, could have been (and still may be) a governor to lead South Carolina to monumental reform. But his attitude of “I’m right, and you are wrong” won’t help at all.

Making the members of the General Assembly the bad guys may help with re-election. It plays well with the largely uninterested and disengaged public. But it is a huge mistake to communicate only from the bully pulpit. Actions do speak louder than words, and our governor’s actions make me wonder whether change, or just talking about change, is the actual goal. There is no other explanation. And it certainly helps with that accountability thing.

The members of the House and Senate have principles too, and also are working for a better South Carolina. I wish Gov. Sanford would use the nice front porch on the mansion. Better yet, become a farmer and sow the seeds of relationships from the perch of a rocking chair, one-on-one, minus any press secretaries.

There is a great opportunity to start fresh with newly elected House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler. It is time for Gov. Sanford to make some friends in the General Assembly. We all will be better for it.

Mr. Felkel has worked in GOP politics and public affairs for the past 20 years. He is president of The Felkel Group, a Greenville-based consultancy. He can be reached at cfelkel@felkelgroup.com.