Understanding Perceptions in Leadership

This article will help you better connect with your team, handle pressure at work, and find a balance between what people think and what's actually true.

What Is Perception in Leadership?

In the workplace, how people perceive things can sometimes matter more than what is actually happening. This can cause stress during performance reviews or team conversations. Everyone sees things differently, based on their own values and beliefs.

As a leader, it's important to understand both facts and feelings. When you help your team perceive things the same way, it builds trust and teamwork. Start by thinking about how you see others and how you want others to see you. Then, look at your values and how they align (or don't align) with your team's.

How to Respond in a Positive Way

Sometimes, we can care more about how things look than what the numbers say. When that happens, it's a good time to check in and make sure we're looking at the situation as a whole, not just the perception of the situation.

Some people focus on feelings and relationships. Others focus on data and results. To lead different people effectively, you need to balance both.

Ask yourself:

• What are the facts of the situation, and what data do I have to support them?

• Did I take their needs and thoughts into account?

• Did the person understand my point? Did I understand theirs?

By thinking about these questions, you can adjust how you communicate with different types of people.

Being True to Yourself and Your Team

Leadership can be tricky. You want to be yourself, and you also need to be flexible. Instead of worrying about being right or wrong, focus on being effective. Think about how you want others to see you. Then, compare that to how they actually see you. Also, learn about the values your team holds. Ask them questions to learn more about how they define their values, without making assumptions about whether your values are the same or different. This can help you understand why people think the way they do and how you can work better together.

Communicating with Care

To improve how people see you, try to meet them halfway. It's not easy to agree with someone or something you don't, though you can try to understand where they're coming from.

Listen carefully. Be open to different opinions. Try using a mix of facts and feelings when you talk. This shows that you care about both the truth and the people.

Success comes from finding a balance, not just choosing one side of the equation. When you lead with honesty and care, your team will notice.

Want to learn more? Check out our Energy Leadership Index Assessment and course to help you understand how you perceive the world around you and how your perceptions are supporting or holding you back.