Monday, May 19, 2008

Perception Is Reality

Dr. William Glasser wrote that "perception is reality." This is particularly true in business. Perception is reality, and whether that perception is right or wrong is totally irrelevant. If my perception is that you are an idiot, how am I going to treat you? Like an idiot. If your perception of me is that I don't really care or that I am self-centered, that is the way you will treat me. It is vitally important that you are aware of the messages you send to people verbally and nonverbally, because they create preceptions that affect relationships.

What messages are you sending and what perceptions are you creating by having an office door that is always closed, by taking calls during meetings, by not listening when you disagree, by body language, by failure to follow through on projects, etc.? What you are speaks so loud, no one can hear what you say. Focus instead on sending positive messages that create positive perceptions of you, your attitude and your ability to get things done. Remember that perception is reality.

And it's not just for the major decisions that this quality is meeded. Complete integrity in little things is no little thing at all. It's been said many times, "The devil is in the details." One day, inevitably, little details will be noticed and the piper will have to be paid.

No comments: