http://educ.jmu.

edu/~johns2ja/illusi
on/froghorse.gif

http://educ.jmu.edu/~johns2ja/illusi
on/froghorse.gif

Short Task
This very short video shows two teams who will be
passing basketballs between members of their
respective teams. There is a White Tee Shirt team and
a Black Tee Shirt team.
Your task is to focus on the White Tee Shirt
team and count the number of times the
basketball is passed between members of the
White Tee Shirt team.
The number of passes will be difficult to count
because at least one of the passes is visually blocked
by a member of the White Tee Shirt team, therefore
you will have to focus carefully.
Record the number of passes you observe.

 http://www.simonslab.com/videos.htm
l

Inattentional Blindness
A failure to perceive objects that are
there because our attention is focused
elsewhere
Applies to systems, ideas, groups, leaders

When what we expect to see does not

match what we see
We may miss opportunities

How to overcome
inattentional blindness
Encourage those around you to offer their
observations, ideas, and suggestions even though
they may challenge the stated goal, outcomes, or
norms.
Step away from the action and into the to make sure
you are seeing the whole picture, not just the part
that you find most interesting.
Be aware that we often see what we expect to
see. We can be blind to even big changes that do not
match our expected reality.

Our brain fills gaps

This leads us to Not listen
Not ask questions
Take partial information and decide
Believe that we took the right decision

 For long-term success the differentiator is no

longer simply what we know, but whether
were allowing ourselves to believe that we
do know is all that we need to proceed
with our efforts.
By being attentive it is possible to not fill gaps
with your own assumptions, but gather
insights from those around you in order to
gain a more complete and accurate picture.

To realize that you do not understand is

a virtue; not to realize that you do not
understand is a defect.
Lao Tzu

Perception
What is Perception?
A process by which individuals organize
and interpret their sensory impressions
in order to give meaning to their
environment

Perception is not in the eyes or ears but it

is what the brain does with the
information that comes from the senses.
Perception is the sense that the brain
makes from this input.

Observation

Perspective

Interpretation

Learning

 "A newspaper is better than a magazine. A seashore is

a better place than a street. At first it is better to run
than to walk. You may have to try several times. It
takes some skill, but it is easy to learn. Even young
children can enjoy it. Once successful, complications
are minimal. Birds seldom get too close. Rain,
however, soaks in very fast. Too many people doing
the same thing can also cause problems. One needs
lots of room. If there are no complications it can be
very peaceful. A rock will serve as an anchor. If things
break loose from it, however, you will not get a
second chance.

KITE
"A newspaper is better than a magazine. A seashore is
a better place than a street. At first it is better to run
than to walk. You may have to try several times. It
takes some skill, but it is easy to learn. Even young
children can enjoy it. Once successful, complications
are minimal. Birds seldom get too close. Rain,
however, soaks in very fast. Too many people doing
the same thing can also cause problems. One needs
lots of room. If there are no complications it can be
very peaceful. A rock will serve as an anchor. If things
break loose from it, however, you will not get a
second chance.

CONTEXT is DECISIVE
When driving, if you have ever gotten
annoyed by being aggressed on by a rash
driver, imagine what would happen to you if
you suddenly realized that the other driver
was your older brother who you really love
and care about and know he is often late for
meetings.
You are still being aggressed on. However,
because the context has changed, you will
notice that instead of being annoyed you are
being understanding.

Is the left center circle bigger?

How many feet and legs does

this elephant have?

Frequently Used Shortcuts in

Judging Others
Selective Perception
People selectively interpret what they see on the basis
of their interest, background, experience, and attitudes

Halo Effect
Drawing a general impression about an individual on
the basis of a single characteristic

Contrast effects
Evaluations of a persons characteristics that are
affected by comparisons with other people recently
encountered who rank higher or lower on the same
characteristics

Projection
Attributing ones own characteristics to other people

Stereotyping
Judging someone on the basis of ones perception of the
group to which that person belongs

Crude Perceptions
In our language and thinking we have
built up labels that are simple and
crude

Us/them
Friend/enemy
Hero/villain
Dull/intelligent

These labels make us perceive things in

these crude ways
We are trapped within the traditional
labels available to us through culture
and language

Why is Perception Important?

Perception is more powerful than logic

Perception is more powerful than emotions
Perception is more powerful than belief
Peoples behavior is based on their
perception of what reality is, not on
reality itself
The world that is perceived is the
world that is behaviorally
important.
Their perception is your reality

Asked of supervisors vs. employees

Asked of supervisors

Asked of employees

How do you give recognition

for good work done by
employees in your work
group?

How does your supervisor give

recognition for good work done
by employees in your work
group?

Frequency with which

supervisors say very often

Frequency with which

employees say very often

Gives Privilege

52%

14%

Gives More
Responsibility

48%

10%

Gives a Pat on the Back

82%

13%

Gives Sincere and

Thorough Praise

80%

14%

Trains for Better Jobs

64%

9%

Gives More Interesting

Work

51%

5%

Things to consider
Objective perception is difficult
Every person has a unique frame of
reference. Interpretation of their frame
of reference helps in understanding
Values, beliefs, attitudes are important
factors affecting perceptual processes
The amount of energy we expend is
directly proportional to the perception
of its importance

Leaders have to
Focus on perceptions that others have
of their behaviours
Own their strengths for others to be
able to perceive them
Develop their awareness intelligence

Managing Polarities rather

than Solving Problems
Man-Woman
Team-individual
Work-Play
Us-them
Centralized-Decentralized
Empowered-Directed

Life is rarely either/or, it is usually AND