The Contented Cow Blog

Building Workplaces That Work

Those of us in the US are, whether we like it or not, in the midst of the presidential primaries, several key states having already held their primaries or caucuses, with most of the rest of them happening over the next few weeks.

While I do have an opinion about the best candidate to choose, I wouldn’t foist that opinion on any of you through this channel. But I will make one recommendation, and a strong one at that.

Vote for the person you think is best for the job. Period. Not necessarily for the so-called “frontrunner”.

There are lots of things relevant to that decision on the part of each voter. How the people of a state that’s already had its primary or caucus is NOT one of them. While I’ve watched with interest how the voters of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Wyoming, South Carolina, and other states have voted, those results won’t change my vote. What the candidates do, or say, while campaigning in those states, and mine, will affect my ultimate decision, but not the outcomes of those races.

Being unduly influenced by the results from prior states dilutes the will of the people, and gives us a flawed outcome. Could that be the reason the majority of Americans have consistently been dissatisfied with their own choice for president since Ronald Reagan? I’ll stick to my guns, thank you, and if my candidate emerges victorious, I’ll be happy, but I won’t vote for the projected frontrunner just so I’ll look like I was right. How stupid is that?

If my choice happens to be for someone who’s not “leading in the polls” (yeah, right, like they’re always correct - remember New Hampshire?), there will be those who will say I’ve thrown away my vote. I disagree. To vote for the person everyone else is predicted to be voting for - rather than voting your mind, your heart, your convictions - that’s throwing away your vote.

 Comments welcome.

Richard Hadden is a leadership speaker, author, and consultant who helps organizations improve their business results by creating a great place to work. He and his co-author and business partner Bill Catlette, are the authors of the new book Contented Cows MOOve Faster, as well as the acclaimed business classic Contented Cows Give Better Milk. Learn more about them and their work at ContentedCows.com.

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