Whenever you communicate with anyone you are crossing a bridge. You are trying to get part of what’s in your mind into the uncharted territory of their minds. This is always a non-trivial process. Because every person you speak to has their own subjective view of the world. And, as Lee Atwater famously said, “Perception is reality.”
Everyone’s perceptions and beliefs are colored by their history, their values, their hopes. It doesn’t matter whether or not you think their perceptions are “reality.” To them, they are.
When you understand and embrace the work of changing perceptions you can connect with and persuade audiences. If you instead spend your energy being baffled that your own employees don’t see “reality” the way you do, you’ll just spin yourself into ineffectual isolation.
If you don’t know what your audiences think and believe, find out! You can do this just by asking! If you really want to reach your employees or any other audience, you have to know where they stand. And then go stand there with them and show them the way.
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