The truth about perception and how we see the world
In this episode of Liveit – Lead IT, I will be drilling down into perception. What happens when we perceive? What do we see? And how should we react in turn? Drawing on lessons from the field of neuro-linguistic programming, I’ll be speaking about how individuals hold different maps of the world in their mind’s eye, and how appreciating this very fact can enable you to be a more effective leader.

Do you see what I see?
Take a look outside your window? What do you see? If you asked your partner, friend or flatmate, what they saw if they looked out the same window, do you think they would respond the same?
Chances are the answer is no. Your response will vary depending on what resonated more in your vision. While there is only one physical world outside, how we perceive that world differs, in some cases remarkably, from one individual to another.
I’ve said many a time before that everyone lives in their world – differences among us based on our backgrounds and experiences will alter what we see. We will, in turn, have different impressions of the world based on our filters  – none of them more or less valid than the other.
 
The impact of perception
So what happens when you perceive something? Well, perceptions can impact our emotions after having been filtered through the conscious mind. So, for example, I could receive a speeding ticket, the perception of which could send my blood boiling and heart racing, as I quicken to anger. Understanding, however, that emotions are manifested by the thoughts in your brain, can enable you to master your feelings – a theme that we began to explore in the last episode.
Since everything that happens in your brain is of your own making, a successful person will understand that they can adjust their minds, and in doing so can alter how they see things, and therefore manage their reactions. Ultimately we give the events in our lives meaning. Altering thinking patterns – known as reframing in NLP – is an excellent tool for mastering your feelings, and not giving things more attention than they deserve. By adopting such techniques, you can ensure that you keep your emotions in check, rather than losing your rag at the drop of a hat.
For mastering this fine art and honing these skills for effective business leadership, listen on to the full podcast. Happy listening!
Olaf Kapinski