Managing Perceptions: Shaping How Others See You

Often, you may have received advice about managing perceptions. Have you considered this advice important and taken steps to actively shape how others perceive you?

Human behaviour is a fascinating subject, as I've discussed in my previous articles. I enjoy observing people and their interactions.

I've noticed that people often form perceptions quickly, mostly even without getting to know someone closely. This perception can be based on physical appearance, communication style, or what they hear from colleagues and friends. The perception formed about a person can be accurate or inaccurate. Can it be damaging if someone perceives you incorrectly? I would say yes; therefore, managing perception is crucial.

You may have noticed that people sometimes make inaccurate assumptions about someone's experience based solely on appearance. For example, individuals who are tall, with grey hair and glasses may be perceived as highly mature and experienced, whereas those who are shorter, without grey hair, but of the same age may be unfairly seen as less experienced and less mature.

While you can't control everyone's perception of you, you can take steps to ensure that your true self is showcased by adopting various strategies to correct misconceptions. This includes demonstrating competence, managing your reputation, and actively engaging with others.

Back in my school days, I used to think that people with glasses were automatically super smart. I was so convinced that I begged my parents to take me to an eye doctor for glasses. Well, the doctor quickly set me straight and sent me on my way without any specs!

I've encountered interesting situations where people formed perceptions about me without knowing me well, and I've had opportunities to correct some of these perceptions once I became aware of them. I have personally shaped perceptions by showcasing my competence.

Early in my career, there was a situation where I was new to a project and requested a laptop from my manager to support my enthusiasm for the project and take on additional tasks. When I made this request, I noticed a suspicious expression on my manager's face, likely thinking I wanted the laptop for non-work-related purposes like watching movies.

However, after observing the outcomes of my work, there was a complete shift in my manager's perception. The person went from scepticism to appreciating my contributions and actively promoted my recognition within the company.

From my experiences, I've learned how important it is for more people to truly understand who you are. When key decision-makers have a clear picture of your abilities and character, it can correct any mistaken beliefs held by a few others.

How others perceive you professionally affects your career path, relationships, influence, and satisfaction. It's essential to actively cultivate a positive image aligned with your values, skills, and contributions.

If you receive feedback about someone having a wrong perception of you, view it as an opportunity to correct this and ensure that your true self is accurately portrayed to others.

When forming perceptions about others, it's important to keep an open mind and be willing to change our views if we later realize they were inaccurate.