Business Change Strategist

Puttling People and Process into Strategy

Barb Stuhlemmer Putting People and Process into Strategy
  • Home
  • Services
  • Barb’s Answers
    • Blog
    • Articles
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Press
    • Rogers TV Shows
  • Contact

What Perception Do They Have of You

By Barb Stuhlemmer, on October 21, 2010

Have you ever had an encounter not go the way you expected and their perception of the event is very different from your intended goal? I wanted to share a story with you to show how your intention to do something you feel is important may affect the way people perceive you. In business, perception of our credibility and commitment is critical, so this story may help you avoid this type of situation.

Yesterday I was at a Mayoral Debate here in my city and after the event was over I got to thinking about the perception that was left unintentionally with the audience.

The format of the debate was set up differently then most people would expect. We have eight people running for Mayor so, as you can imagine, the debate would been very long if everyone had the opportunity to comment on and rebuttal to just a few questions. So to help reduce the time, the organizers created an initial question to allow the candidates to introduce themselves and make an initial comment. They each would get 7.5 minutes for this initial introduction. That is an hour of introductions. Then they were going to allow the audience to vote for the four candidates they wanted to hear from most.

This did not sit well with some of the candidates who felt that it was undemocratic to not allow the public to hear from all candidates. I do understand this point of view and recognize that every candidate brings some knowledge and expertise to the event which could add to the overall value of the community. To stand up for democracy, several had boycotted the event.

The organizers had re-evaluated their format and withdrew the voting aspect to allow everyone to speak through the 2 hour meeting. I don’t know if it was just too late to change their minds again or if they still chose not to attend because of the original format, but only three of the candidates came to the meeting.

So what perception does this give? People in the audience were asking, “why wouldn’t they be here”, and “was this really such a bad thing”. I heard people use the word “whine” and “afraid” when describing the candidates that did not attend.

Candidate at podium

If you don't want them to judge you for something you didn't do then show up

No matter how righteous their intended boycott was, it had the reverse affect on the audience. This is a high-profile job, where the public will read into the actions of the candidate. Not one person, except the organizer, said, “it is too bad they could not make it”. People assumed they did not want to come. Unfortunately because they were not there they could not let people know or help them understand the importance of their decision or the reason why they were absent. They were judged solely on their absence.

So in your business, sometimes doing something because the alternative does not seem right may give a different impression of intent to your customers. To avoid misunderstandings:

  • Communicate with your clients your intent. Don’t leave them hanging.
  • Add value for the option you had to cancel (e.g. give them something extra).
  • Don’t expect people to see eye-to-eye with you. Respect their different perspectives.
  • Accept negative feedback as an opportunity to grow.
  • Keep a positive attitude. If you are working from a place of integrity then you can feel good about your decision and others will too.

Have you ever jumped to conclusions about someone else’s motives for missing an important event OR have you ever been judged this way? Share your story below.

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Info Barb Stuhlemmer Tagged With: Brand, business goals, business relationships, communicate, entreprenuer, know like and trust, leadership, networking, peer groups

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA
Refresh

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Certified Virtual Presenter




Free Tool and Audio

Why Your Inner
Circle of 5 Matters
FREE TOOL

Use This 30 Second Tool to Discover if
Success is in Your Future
Send me this free tool!
Don't Leave without
listening to this Interview
Episode 7

Barb’s Latest Book

Entrepreneur Awakening
- Making the move from
Employee to Owner -

BUY IT NOW
On Amazon

Recent Posts

  • Like Turning A Ship?
  • What Strategy Looks Like: It’s not simple
  • No Change is Change
  • Working From Home? Have a Routine!
  • Infatuation

Archive

  • January 2021
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • March 2018
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • November 2015
  • July 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • August 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010

Articles

Follow this link for Barb's BLITZ Big Thinker Articles https://bit.ly/fromBLITZ

Recent Comments

  • Breaking Down Your Steps to Get Everything Done | Blitz Big Thinker on SMARTAR Goals are Smarter
  • Madhav on Act ‘As If” is Not the Same as Faking It
  • Barb Stuhlemmer on The Tanacity of Entrepreneurship
  • ibrahem AL-Shameri on Helping Hand: Building Trust for Business Online
  • On the Book Shelf – What’s Barb Reading Now? Marketing, Spirituality, and Just For Fun! | Ambitious Busienss Growth with BLITZ Business Success on On the Book Shelf – What’s Barb Reading Now? – Self, Sales and Great Business

Networked Blog

NetworkedBlogs
Blog:
BLITZ Business Success Blog
Topics:
business success, business mastermind, business development
 
Follow my blog

Speaker Associations

Google

Interviews and Appearances

Interviewed for Canadian Business Magazine Article  mentor for smOffice winners 2017 to 2018  Interviewed for the Inner Dominatrix Podcast

Mentor for The HUB Inc.  Rogers TV Host of Weekly 1 Hour TV Show, Your Business with Barb 

Mentor for The HUB Inc.  Interviewed for the Inner Dominatrix Podcast  Interviewed for the Female Speaker Summit 2018

Coaching Corner for Incentive Works Show  Interviewed for article in Incentive Travel Magazine  Front cover Interview for Huronia Business Times

Copyright © 2021 Ambitious Busienss Growth with BLITZ Business Success · All Rights Reserved

Contact | Terms and Conditions | Legal

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in