Unlike mathematics, leadership is not simply a science, but is an art
as well. Many leaders run everything they do based on statistics, or
data available, while often that provides them with only a small part of
an overall answer. Albert Einstein wrote, "Everything that can be
counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot
necessarily be counted."
1. Too many politicians operate by letting polls dictate their actions. In recent years, we have often witnessed numerous misleading and/ or inaccurate polls. Like many other types of statistics, polls are often misleading because they depend on the sampling, the pollster, how the questions were asked, and what questions were asked (and how they were worded), etc.
2. In a similar manner, I have too often observed budgets that contain numerous flaws, and misinterpretations. While properly prepared budgets are extremely valuable tools, improperly prepared ones can be quite dangerous and troublesome. Because far too few people take the significance of the budget process seriously enough, flawed budgets are often passed (and approved) with little or no significant or relevant discussion. In my over thirty years of consulting organizations, I have seen these flawed documents become the framework and beginning of widespread organizational financial chaos.
3. It is quite easy to misinterpret data, either in error or by design. When we hear statistical consulting business stations and reporters discuss data, we often hear them use the expressions, "better than expected," or "worse than anticipated." Have you ever wondered how accurate or meaningful the original information if, if we almost never hear that something occurs as anticipated or projected?
4. One of the greatest challenges to many organizations today is membership, and its related areas. Very often, leaders decide to make certain changes because they feel there are necessary cost economies. For example, many organizations have substantially curtailed mailed communications, depending on email and digital communication instead. While that certainly reduces expenses, almost every study shows that when people are given the option to select mailed magazines or digital, the vast majority are selecting mailed.
Therefore, while eliminating these magazines saves expenses up front, have the leaders thoroughly evaluated and considered the impact that the reduced communication has on membership communication, and how that minimized communication may result in a diminishing of member retention numbers. In addition, how might this step impact the potential to reach out to a wider audience of potential members, sponsors, etc?
Every leader should understand both the pros and cons of statistics, and how they can be used advantageously as well as the potential for misinterpretation, and even abuse. Statistics are often like the tendency today for fancy rhetoric - - it looks great, but falls short when it comes to substance and actual value.
Know more: statistical consultant
1. Too many politicians operate by letting polls dictate their actions. In recent years, we have often witnessed numerous misleading and/ or inaccurate polls. Like many other types of statistics, polls are often misleading because they depend on the sampling, the pollster, how the questions were asked, and what questions were asked (and how they were worded), etc.
2. In a similar manner, I have too often observed budgets that contain numerous flaws, and misinterpretations. While properly prepared budgets are extremely valuable tools, improperly prepared ones can be quite dangerous and troublesome. Because far too few people take the significance of the budget process seriously enough, flawed budgets are often passed (and approved) with little or no significant or relevant discussion. In my over thirty years of consulting organizations, I have seen these flawed documents become the framework and beginning of widespread organizational financial chaos.
3. It is quite easy to misinterpret data, either in error or by design. When we hear statistical consulting business stations and reporters discuss data, we often hear them use the expressions, "better than expected," or "worse than anticipated." Have you ever wondered how accurate or meaningful the original information if, if we almost never hear that something occurs as anticipated or projected?
4. One of the greatest challenges to many organizations today is membership, and its related areas. Very often, leaders decide to make certain changes because they feel there are necessary cost economies. For example, many organizations have substantially curtailed mailed communications, depending on email and digital communication instead. While that certainly reduces expenses, almost every study shows that when people are given the option to select mailed magazines or digital, the vast majority are selecting mailed.
Therefore, while eliminating these magazines saves expenses up front, have the leaders thoroughly evaluated and considered the impact that the reduced communication has on membership communication, and how that minimized communication may result in a diminishing of member retention numbers. In addition, how might this step impact the potential to reach out to a wider audience of potential members, sponsors, etc?
Every leader should understand both the pros and cons of statistics, and how they can be used advantageously as well as the potential for misinterpretation, and even abuse. Statistics are often like the tendency today for fancy rhetoric - - it looks great, but falls short when it comes to substance and actual value.
Know more: statistical consultant
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