I was talking with Chris on the way home last night about perception. It is an interesting thing. Do you ever think about how others perceive you?

You might feel that others think of you as confident, or feisty, or determined. They may think of you in that way too. But, what if they do not? What if instead they think of you as aggressive, cocky, or impatient. Does how others perceive you matter? Does it change how effective you are with them, whether in a work or personal setting? I think it may. Do we have to manage others perceptions of us? Does it matter?

Often I think that others can be blocked to get to know someone more, or make a decision not to pursue creating a relationship or alliance with someone because of their assumptions or perceptions. I do not think we have to change who we are, or adapt who we are for others, but I do think we need to be aware of how we are perceived. Would knowing that make you approach a situation in a more gentle way? Or maybe just the opposite, would knowing how you are perceived make you act more aggressive? In some ways it is knowing your audience and understanding what they need and how they view the world. It may make a difference in how you interact with your boss, your kid, or your spouse.

I would love to hear other’s thoughts on this topic as it was a spur of the moment thought for me and one I would like to dig deeper into. Any books or articles you have read on this topic? Please share!