Last year I was asked to respond to a survey of sorts and doing so has got me all outta sorts. Like riled up a tad bit ya know. Might be another confusing post but I must speak in innuendo. Some of you may see through my guise however and that’s mighty fine too.
No secret my undergrad took me 20 plus years to complete. I came out of that experience none the wiser. Stinking expensive piece of paper. Toilet paper. I had job specific designations out the ying yang but that wasn’t enough. I needy the bloody uni degree. Look at me channeling someone from across the pond. Muah! That is my OPINION of a higher education. You go get your own. But I digress.
If I, for a moment, do not think about paying off student loans until I am dead, maybe college was not a complete waste. I may have actually learned a trick or two. There was this one class – Research Methodologies that I took my senior year. We had to write our own objective survey. That mi amigos/amigas is more difficult than one imagines.
Did you know there are leading questions that skew survey results? I remember getting drafts back that were completely lined through in bright red! Try again J-Dub and you’ll eventually get it. And while you’re getting it, land the plane why don’t you?
Here we go. The present day survey is garbage. The statement is:
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree answer the following:
At work, my opinions seem to count.
Now shut the front door, what does seem mean? Give an appearance or impression. Dare I say illusion. Cuz guess what folks? That’s a trick question. At work (or life in general) your opinion does NOT count. Ever. Never ever. Nope! Kinda, sort of, not really. Opinions are like <fill in the blank> Everybody has one.
Ya see, drawing on my vast experience (single course) as a survey writer, the question is worded improperly. Seem is an odd word choice and for many folks the word count is a verb. Meaning if my opinion counts, you will act on my counsel or preference. Very few people get the opportunity to actually influence wide-scale change. Best one can gain is control over his/her reactions.
Let’s try the statement this way:
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree answer the following:
At work, I am allowed to express my opinions.
Bingo! J-Dub answers a resounding 5 plus plus. In fact, I am encouraged to give my opinion. Speak up!
Now put that in your proverbial peace pipe and smoke it with your best friend at work.
As always, more to come.
This post was written as part of Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge.
Numero quince.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 