Opinion Polls Are Just That -- Opinions

Whether it is CNN or Cbssportsline.com or any of the other news outlets, opinion polls are used excessively to keep the pulse on what we think. Even popular television shows pick winners largely based on audience opinions. The technology is easy to use, it spits out instant data that can be charted or graphed and makes for instant conversation which is what a 24-hour news cycle needs.

The pitfall of overuse of opinion polls is not only the rash of meaningless numbers produced but it sets a tone of that is how decisions should be made.

Executives and people in positions of authority, ostensibly our leaders, are people who possess the ability to gather information and make decisions based on the analysis of that information. They are the people who have visions and plans to lead their organizations toward better performance, market share and profitability. If they succeed they should be handsomely rewarded.

If they fail, they should be removed from office. Leaders are asked to make tough decision with new clear "right" answer and yes sometimes those direction choices go wrong, but to replace leadership skills and accountability with consensus voting will surely cripple decision making.

Why are opinion polls a bad decision-making tool?

1. The masses are often wrong

Innovators and leaders ride the cutting edge and strive to accomplish the impossible. They push for excellence and have the capacity to take measured risks for their organizations. Majority voting is usually a middle of the road, slow processes that doesn't drive risk, innovation or aggressive growth. There is no one driving at all, only a bus full of people trying to agree where they want to go. Organizations need a bus driver who knows the destination, the path to reach that destination and takes the responsibility of getting the bus there safely.

2. Diversity of thinking

Typically, when we talk about diversity in the workplace we talk about race or ethnicity. The diversity I am referring to is diversity of ideology. Our country is more fractured in ideology than ever before. Religions are splitting apart because of passionate ideology, work force divides are occurring because of different ideology, and special interest groups are growing rapidly, each with a passionate voice about their cause. Should any of these ideologies be ignored? Not at all, in fact, they should all be considered by the leader responsible for the organization.

Without a leader to distill this information into a workable plan, the factions within organizations each try so hard to prove their own point, chaos rules and firm direction never comes together.

There is no substitute for effective leadership to provide a sound direction and strategic plan with clearly states goals and objectives. To accomplish this someone must be in charge and take the forefront of the effort. Let's not confuse anecdotal information gathered from opinion polls for sound decision-making.