This week, I suffer from election information overload.

As such, for this week’s article I will just go straight to the point - short and relatively sweet.

Where’s the beef?

I have friends from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

Some are really brilliant leaders, some must read more, and some should just keep their day jobs.

Some have great solutions to existing problems. Some just don’t understand what is happening in front of their eyes.

Why?

Because some mix around with all types of people, while some prefer to mix with people of their own kind – which can also mean, people of the same political party.

And that is the problem.

They will only get information from the people around them – and more often than not, they seek and prefer information that they want to hear.

They always dismiss ideas from people with different points of view.

And on many occasions, they believe in their own spin. Decisions made are not based on information from proper research.

They need good data.

People in politics must use data extensively, craft their messages based on data and churn new data and see the impact of their messages based on data.

In addition to that, they should also start having roti canai with people outside their own circles.

Only then, they can get the real picture.

And I will not have to ask myself “which planet are these people from?” when I engage in a conversation with them.

And recently, a good friend who is a political observer, said in some organisations (political parties included), certain leaders do not like people who are smarter than them to be in the team as they are afraid, one day, these people potential will eat them up.

So the not so smart ones will ensure the next in line will not be so smart and the next level of successors will do just the same.

If that is true, it is just so darn scary.

So, on March 5, 2013 will you vote for the smart ones?

Cheers