We’ve all heard, and said. that “perception is reality”.  This profound truth, while believed, is sometimes hard to remember or put into practice.  This fact also makes interpersonal communication and interaction far more complex than we wish it were.  Let me take this idea one step further.

People tend to operate and behave in the world, based on what they believe to be true.  In other words, people behave, and communicate, and react, and choose (among other things) based on how they see the world (i.e. their perceptions).

So, if we want to communicate successfully, influence, or lead them, we must operate based on their perceptions.  To change their behavior, thoughts and actions, we must understand and then change their perceptions.

Let me make it more personal.

Our perceptions are reality.  To change our actions we must change our perceptions.

And one more time, from a leadership perspective.

To change the actions of others, start with their perceptions, which form their reality.

Want more articles like this?

Subscribe to any of our e-newsletters to get them delivered directly to your inbox.

Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

Share your thoughts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}