Successful managers understand the importance of perceptions as influences on behaviour, and handle them accordingly.
Managing
the Perception Process
Successful managers understand
the importance of perceptions as influences on behaviour, and handle them
accordingly. They are aware of perceptual distortions and accept that
perceptual differences are likely to exist in any situation. With this
knowledge, they make appropriate decisions that are acceptable to all persons
concerned. The perceptual skills of a manager will help him in the following
ways.
High level of self awareness
As already made clear, individual
needs, experience, and expectations will all affect perceptions. The successful
manager understands this and is able to identify when he is inappropriately
distorting a situation because of such perceptual tendencies. Seek information from various sources for decisions
The successful manager minimizes
the bias of personal perceptions by seeking out the viewpoints of others. These
insights are used to gain additional perspective on situations and the problems
or opportunities they represent. Empathy
As is understood, different
people look at the same situation differently. The successful manager rises
above the personal impressions and tries to understand problems as felt by
other people. Influence of perceptions on other people
People act according to their own
perceptions. If felt necessary, the successful manager influences the
perceptions of others in such a way that the work events are interpreted as
accurately as possible and to the advantage of all concerned. Avoid common perceptual distortions
Perceptual distortions include the use of
stereotypes and halo effects, as well as selective perception and projection.
Successful managers are self disciplined and sufficiently aware that the
adverse impact of these distortions is minimized. Avoid inappropriate attributions
A person has a tendency to explain why events
happened the way they did or why people behaved as they did. The successful
manager is wise enough to establish the real reasons for the things that happen
and avoid the
tendency of making quick or inappropriate attributions.
Tags : Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour - Perception And Learning
Last 30 days 6014 views