We have all heard the question – Is the glass half-full or half-empty? … at some point in our lives. It is meant to bring to our awareness, how we all see the same things differently.

Everyone will/may have a different response to the same sensory stimulus in the environment. This is referred to as having different perceptions or perspectives. There is no right or wrong here – just a different interpretation of the same data. The mechanism of perception can be broken up into two parts…. (1) Firstly, processing sensory input (2) Secondly, interpreting this with your internal concepts, knowledge, expectations and current thinking. Like snowflakes, no 2 individuals are alike and we all interpret data using our internal framework of right and wrong, likes and dislikes and our colored beliefs.

The 2nd part of the perception operation, is where differences will occur and will (often times) start intense discussions and debates. One needs to be cognizant about the role of ‘perception’ when dealing with personal and professional environments. Friends and colleagues at work, whom you may have tremendous respect for, may sometimes amaze you with a completely radical interpretation/perception of the same data.

I was first exposed to this important topic at a Management training seminar, when I was in India. The class of 20, were all shown the same stock picture of the Old-Young Lady, replicated below. There are hundreds of such clever pictures, if you search the internet.

old-young-pic

Clearly the trick picture, presents two entirely different views depending upon how you interpret/perceive the data. There is no right or wrong, as the picture did not have a title. We had to interpret what we saw, and describe it.

The response of the class was split into two groups – (1) those who saw a pretty, fashionable Young woman, looking over her right shoulder, and, (2) those who saw an Old haggard woman, with a lowered head (and a big nose). At first, the two groups could not understand why there was such a major difference in our perception, even though all of us were of equal standing and professional peers. Of course, once the 2nd part of the perception processing was understood – the role our mental framework plays in interpreting the same data, became clear.

My point here is….. when having a discussion with your spouse, sibling, children, friends, colleagues – anyone for that matter – be aware of their viewpoint and perspective. If you care for your Relationships, it is even more important that you listen well, to understand their perspective. You do not have to agree with them…. Just listen and understand where they are coming from. Make sure they too understand your perspective on the discussion topic.

A recent occurrence, which is quite topical, is the recent Presidential inaugural speech last Friday. Millions of Americans and far more world citizens heard the same words, listened to the same verbal nuances and body language. The sensory inputs were the same, for all the listeners. By now, you have head a multitude of different reactions to the same speech. The perceptions for most everyone were different due to the 2nd part of the perception processing. All of us listened with our colored glasses and our frameworks within which we had to fit the spoken words and reconcile our sanity.

In your personal lives, do incorporate this understanding with your loved ones and good friends. Accept the fact, that the same stimulus could cause a different response in different persons. Respect this, and agree to disagree as a matter of perception. Relationships, friends and family are more important than agreeing on everything all the time.