In living our lives and communicating with each other our perception of reality is less important than reality itself. Some would argue that there IS no ultimate reality, only the illusion of our perceptions.
- physical elements -- what information your eye or ear can actually take in, how your brain processes it.
- environmental elements -- what information is out there to receive, its context.
- learned elements -- culture, personality, habit: filters we use to select what we take in and how we react.
For example, colour blind people will not perceive "red" the way as other people do. Those with normal vision may physically see "red" similarly, but will interpret it culturally:
• red meaning "stop" or "anger" or "excitement" or "in debt" (US)
• red meaning "good fortune" (China)
• red meaning your school's colours
The world deluges us with sensory information every second. Our mind produces interpretations and models and perceptions a mile a minute. To survive, we have to select what information we attend to and what we remember.
• Sends out strong physical stimulus: contrast, blinking, loudness, etc.
• Elicits emotion -- TV dramas, memory aid: when taking notes of emotional response
• Is unexpected? (it may draw attention or conversely, you may miss it entirely)
• Fits a pattern
• Previous knowledge that gives it context
• Interests you
• Connects to basic needs (belonging, sex, danger, hunger...)
• Is useful.
--what hooks your emotions? What is "normal" and what is "unexpected", etc.
Taking into account that communication is subject to perception and individual selective attention, you may well consider the following questions:
Do you perceive correctly what has been directed to you?
And in a position of authority as an Executive, Managing Director or part of Senior Management -
How well does your message come across ?
How do you know if the feedback you hear is the truth and not manufactured reality?
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