Voting 18 May 2011

Some wise words courtesy of New Insights Africa:

I certainly don't think it's my place to endorse any political parties or figures in this newsletter but I do think that there are some interesting parallels between voting and life coaching that may cause you to engage in some relatively lighthearted reflection.



No vote

Some people will never vote, no matter how much is at stake or what the issues are.

"Waste of time." "I couldn't be bothered." "How can one person make any difference." "There are better things to do with my time." "I hate politics anyway."

These are the typical statements that you will hear from the perpetual 'no-shows' at the polling station. The attitude is not dissimilar from that of people who shy away from taking responsibility for their lives, preferring to blame others and everything else around them for their lack of success. These people find it 'easier' and 'more convenient' to find fault with the world and others in order to justify their situations, than to take the action steps needed to get them closer to where they would prefer to be.


Same vote


Other people will vote for the same party time and time again, regardless of how well they actually perform in government or in opposition. To these people supporting political parties is a bit like supporting your favorite sporting team - loyalty is everything. Here's the kind of things you'll hear from this group.
"My father's father voted for x, my father voted for x and I will vote for x, plain and simple." "I could never betray my party." "I am a x supporter through and through." "This leopard doesn't change its spots."
Of course if you are a politician at heart then loyalty is to be expected but for most people blind loyalty is often a sign of insecurity. In coaching we often get to help clients who, at least deep down, want to change but simply don't have the courage to take actions that are in any way 'out of the ordinary' or foreign to their normal routines.


Spoilt vote


Then there are the spoilers - people who vote every time but with a spoilt ballot. They view elections as opportunities to register their silent protest against what they see as a wholly unfair and unjust society. There are many people who live with pent up frustration at the inequities of life. They feel that they have drawn a 'short straw' or that fate has dealt them an unkind hand. They will use any opportunity to 'get back' at the system that they despise or to try and 'level the playing fields' so that others don't seem so advantaged.


Proxy vote


Still other people will vote in accordance with what they are told to do because they feel that someone else knows better (in some cases, sadly, physical and/or mental intimidation may even play a role).

Some people are easily manipulated by others. Such people generally lack self confidence or self esteem and find it easier to trust the opinions of others than to access and believe in the wisdom of their own inner voices. In life coaching we deal extensively with people who struggle to live up to their own expectations of life, exactly because of this.


Special vote


Finally, there are those voters who see their votes as potential instruments of change. They carefully assess the performance of the elected people and parties and those in opposition and use their precious votes either to reinforce good performance or to punish poor performance.
These voters can be likened to ideal coaching clients. They are responsible, confident, aware - and not at all frightened to take action to bring about change if it is needed to get them to where they want to be.

Action the change you want to see