Perceptions
by Miki Saxon
Did you know that there is no “real” reality?
That’s because the reality we each live in is perceived through our own MAP and that perception is reality.
We filter our mental, emotional and physical surroundings through our MAP and, like snowflakes, no two people have identical MAP, so no two people perceive identically.
I can’t live in your mind any more than you can live in mine, so no matter how close our worldviews seem, they will never be identical.
Does perception influence corporate culture? Absolutely.
Look at Google, since it’s one of the most discussed corporate cultures it’s easy to compare perceptions. Outsiders usually mention the stock options, food, concierge services and in-house massages first, while insiders hottest buttons are the 20% time to work on their own ideas, how well they are heard, opportunity to make a difference, and respect shown at all levels.
Consider the manager, whether CEO or team leader, who describes his organization’s culture as flexible, open, fair and motivated, while the workers see it as inflexible and regimented.
Aside from bosses who don’t walk their talk, the difference is often perception, i.e., what is a tight ship to the manager is micromanaging to the staff.
Although culture is a product of MAP, everyone needs to be on the same page. That requires the culture-setters/enablers to listen to the perceptions of all those in their organization—especially when what they hear is uncomfortable.
Once heard, they need to act; they need to do what it takes so their people’s cultural perception is the same as their cultural vision.
Flickr image credit: Foxtongue
June 14th, 2013 at 1:15 am
[…] Subjective vision is the norm, possibly even more so now than in the past, which means you need to constantly be on the alert for how your words and actions are perceived by your team. […]