Perception can have a direct impact on how well a conversation goes. Words and actions can be perceived very differently depending on the person involved. Everyone is unique, and their perception of things has been built by previous encounters, things they were taught and even how they look at themselves. Because of this, each person will see things with a different set of eyes, literally and figuratively.
Why is this so important to realize? Because, it will help us understand others better and allow us to have more effective communication. We must be aware of our own perception. Consider why you’re perceiving something the way it is — do you have insecurities that could be impacting your perception or built up prejudices? Sometimes when we are insecure about something, we’re quick to get defensive. A person may be trying to be helpful or even give us a compliment, but instead it may be perceived as though the other person is picking out character flaws, when this is not the case. And when we have prejudices, even ones that we might not be readily aware of, they can create walls. We cast judgments on a person based on appearance before allowing the person to present who they actually are. Stereotypes are a large proponent of this, and we should tread carefully, not making assumptions about people based on how they look.
There are many influences that can impact how we perceive words, actions and people, and we must be aware of this. The same goes for other people. When we are communicating with others, we should be aware that their perception of things will probably vary some from how we perceive things. When we acknowledge this to ourselves, we open the door to better understanding of others.
It’s important in every conversation to understand your own influences on perception as well as others. Strive to understand, instead of being quick to judge, acknowledge the impact perception can have on conversation, and reach for a clearer path in communication.