Abuse Quote by Andrew Kohut
“Certainly polling is a tool for leadership. It's not a program for leadership. And you can abuse a tool. You can overuse it. A leader who looks to the latest poll finding and says, "Well that's what I should do", that's not a very good leader. I mean that's someone who is not taking this poll and saying, "Well what am I gonna have to do to get public acceptance of my policies?" It's someone who is interested in their own election or re-election, and their own popularity rather than genuinely serving the public interest.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Opinion and Leadership, Andrew Kohut, 2005
Leaders should not let polls dictate decisions; they must prioritize public interest over personal popularity.
In simple terms: Leaders must not be ruled by polls.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize serving the public over chasing approval.
Themes
leadership
public opinion
ethics
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
advisory
ethical
When to use this quote
- campaign planning
- policy development
- media relations
- public communication
Key Concepts
democracy
decision making
political strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance data with principle?
- When should you ignore poll results?
A Different Perspective
Polls can be misleading and overemphasized.
