Managing perceptions

If you are going to make changes to how you are perceived at work and how you work, you may want to consider the following:

Perception management has significant overlap with some elements of EQ. But if your focus is on changing some of your less favourable characteristics and behaviours, you should:

• Be mindful - increase your own awareness of how you are perceived by others.
• Be mindful about people's verbal and non-verbal signals – actively read the signals and respond appropriately.
• Be mindful of when you are stressed and how you behave. You may need to take time out or delay decisions.
• Be mindful of strategic moments at work and make sure you are present and visible.
• Without being needy and demanding, ask for feedback from people you value.
• Make perception management part of your personal development – take the time and energy to do it properly.

You should not:

• React emotionally to any feedback you receive.
• Act defensively.
• Be ingratiating.
• Try too hard – this can appear aggressive.
• Embroil others in your views of yourself – you may not be that interesting to everyone else!
• Pester people for feedback – people may just agree with your views of yourself to placate you.
• Play "office politics".

Basically, perception management is the ability to create a positive impression through your mindful behaviour, your awareness of other people and your awareness of how you impact on others.

While you might want to influence how people see you, don’t be too heavy handed. Be subtle and be as true to yourself as you can.