How interested are you in the truth? You will probably say that you expect maximum transparency from those around you, but what about your own truth, i.e., the things you might not want to see? It is easy to point the finger at others. However, it is much more difficult to take a clear look at your own personality.
Objective perception: Leave your fantasy world behind
In connection with objective perception, the following questions arise: How interested are you in the truth? Do you want to look impartially and objectively behind what is presented to you? You will probably say that you expect the greatest possible transparency from your fellow human beings—from superiors, companies, or politicians. But what about your own truth, the things you might not want to see? It's easy to point the finger at others. Objective perception of one's own personality, on the other hand, is much more difficult.
But are we ever truly unbiased and objective? Sure, we can use figures to objectively measure potential, growth opportunities, and progress. Especially in a professional context, in sales or marketing, we tend to rely on such measurement methods. But when we dig deeper, we diversify more and more and ultimately end up at a dead end.
Do you view the world impartially—objectively or subjectively?
The corridor between the two extremes of objective perception and radical subjectivity helps us to evaluate our perception. Ultimately, the fact is that anyone who believes they are completely unbiased and objective is unaware of their radical subjectivity. Why? One reason could be that you do not want to admit that your point of view is influenced by your experiences and conditioning.
Companies tend to measure parameters in order to appear as unbiased as possible. Ultimately, however, these parameters, these figures, must also be interpreted. This is a process that, thanks to the economic situation, competition, or crisis situations, leads us straight back to subjectivity and allows us to conclude that there can be no such thing as a 100 percent objective perception.
On the other hand, we find the pole of radical subjectivity, which is equivalent to the complete absence of objective perception. We operate within this field of tension and must find the healthy middle ground.
Three measures can help:
Develop competence: Become aware of your radical subjectivity
In order to work on ourselves and see the world more clearly, we need to be aware of our own perspective. Many people hide behind a certain sobriety in this context. They believe they are unbiased and objective, but the opposite is often the case. This is where our path from unconscious incompetence to conscious competence comes into play: only when we are aware of our incompetence can we recognize the emotional coloring with which we view the world and work on ourselves—until we reach conscious competence.
Recognizing mental attitudes: Seeing less of what you would like to see
Research findings offer another way to become more unbiased and objective: we tend to see things the way we want them to be. For example, you may want to hire someone and then wish that the applicants meet your expectations. Keeping a clear perspective is no easy task. That's why serious mistakes can easily occur in the hiring process.
You may also be familiar with this phenomenon in your personal relationships. In our desire to find a partner, we sometimes make decisions that are difficult to understand when entering into romantic relationships. We look for certain qualities in our significant others and end up seeing them even though they are not there—a kind of wishful thinking that clouds our judgment. It is only years later that we ask ourselves how this could have happened. In fact, it is our mental attitudethat influences us in these situations and determines our actions.
- Fear or worry
Our objective perception can be clouded, for example, by the fear of not being good enough, not functioning properly, or failing. When we perceive something with fear, we project this emotion onto the situation. This is anything but unbiased or objective and can have a paralyzing effect.
- hope
When we look at a situation with hope in our hearts, it can have an exhilarating effect. This can lead to risky impulse actions, such as investing a large sum of money.
Maintain an unbiased, objective perspective: Focus on results
What impact do you have in your life, with your actions, in your company, or with your product line? The answer to this question represents your results.
For example, a lack of objective perception is evident in poor results, but also in how much someone complains about life or other people. The more unbiased or objective you are in your view of the world, the less reason you have to complain.
The objectivity we see in the outside world—reality as it is—depends heavily on whether and how we acknowledge ourselves. If you have a keen sense of perception when it comes to others, without knowing how clear your inner vision is, you could mentally dissect others in order to feel superior. Therefore, strengthen your inner vision as well. This will allow you to see the world more clearly and improve your own results.
Become the best people you can be.
That is what we hope for.
Your team at the Grundl Leadership Institute
