Trina Hoefling Untethered

Does Polling Engage us Interactively or Influence Us Unduly or Simply take up too much air?

Or something in between? I’m getting my ducks in a row to do some real world research in organizations, and polling and surveys will be part of that research. It reminds me, though, that I ask people their opinions because I truly not only want – but need – to know in order to do good information gathering. I am also genuinely seeking to learn about them as people and members of the organization, and opportunities to make things better for them while also accomplishing whatever project I’m doing research for.

Interactive. Engagement.Trust building, Relationship building, Alliance building – Expanding Emotional Bandwidth. Oh, yeah – and good information, data and sometimes, wisdom.

Polls and surveys are one tool in my arsenal, but not really enough to sort out what else is really going on inside the organization and the organization’s members and stakeholders. I go in and help the company figure itself out and get better at being who it is more successfully and  responsibly. I can’t do that if I don’t know the people or know what is going on. Polls and surveys are one part of doing that faster and with more safety in reducing bias and letting every voice have a say.

In the media, though, polling is more limited. It is about the only engagement tool that reaches out and pulls information from the American public during this election season. What is its role? Media’s growing requirement is to

• entertain us,
• educate us (not sure where that directive came from, but it is there especially on morning news shows),
• engage us,
• edify our knowledge of current events
• elevate important news so we know to pay attention.

That’s quick off my cuff…. Anyone agree or have another point of view? And what role does polling play, and to what end? [Hint: I'm actually more interested in the "to what end" part. lol]

I got credentialed for Obama last night, so I was there!!!! It was powerful to feel the entire stadium vibrating with the foot stomping, and to be close enough to take pictures of history makers like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, and to see one of my heroes, Charlie Rose, experiencing the same moment I was. We were experiencing, mostly Democrats, but also a huge contingency of Republicans, Independents, Libertarians… Well-dressed and sportswear … heels and sandals… all cultural and national heritages represented in both body and garb, at least by Denver standards…  old and young, people flying and driving half-way across the country and people like me who live close enough to walk ….. it was cool. (Yes, cool…. I’m middle-aged, and it’s one of my core words.)

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