Tech Leadership, In So Many Words … #3 Perception

Andrew Weaver
September 6, 2022

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are”  Anais Nin

Perception is often at the core of leadership.
Because no one cares about our real intentions.

To become a successful technology leader you need to acknowledge and understand how perception affects your relationship with other people and from that, your ability to lead.

Key pillars impacting the perceptual process;

– Objective perception is difficult if not impossible
– Every person has their own unique frame of reference
– Interpretation is dependent on factors not always related to the immediate situation
– Energy expended on a task can be relative to our perception of its importance

So how do you bridge the gap between your perception and their reality?

Finding Out, What They Think Of You

If you don’t know how you are perceived, you cannot change things and changing people’s perceptions can only come by understanding their reality and potentially changing your own behaviour.

Feedback is an important but often uncomfortable step to take.
It’s a process that enables you to protect yourself from erroneous perception and to both work and be seen to work empathetically by considering different points of view.

You have to be open to constructive criticism, helping to make sure your leadership actions match your words and improving how you communicate the reasoning behind your decisions.

Consider also the impact of body language and the science of influence.

One small step towards gaining more influence with an individual is the use of mirroring.
When you mirror someone’s body language and words, the other person tends to engage more because they get the sense you’re doing the same.

It’s how we’re wired so use it.

Influence is a powerful tool in breaking down communication barriers and getting people to understand more about your motivations.

If you want a deeper dive into this topic, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion is the book to read.

Want to learn more?

We cover this and other communication topics within our executive leadership course, The Digital MBA for Technology Leaders.

Download Our Free eBook!

90 Things You Need To Know To Become an Effective CTO

CTO Academy Ebook - CTO Academy

Latest posts

What is Wrong With Your CTO Resume and How to Fix It - guide featured image

What’s Wrong With Your CTO Resume & How to Fix It

In one of our most recent online sessions, we discussed the troubling trends in the tech job market, especially in the technology leadership category (e.g., […]
Tech leadership in so many words - decisive

Tech Leadership in So Many Words…#30 – Decisive

In the fluid and constantly changing world of tech, decisiveness is crucial, particularly in agile teams that often operate with a flat hierarchy and are […]
Press Release-April 7-2025-CTO Academy Secures a New Round of Funding-pr featured image

CTO Academy Secures New Round of Funding to Accelerate Global Expansion

London, UK – April 8, 2025 – CTO Academy, a globally recognized provider of leadership training for technology leaders, announced the successful completion of its […]

Transform Your Career & Income

Our mission is simple.
To arm you with the leadership skills required to achieve the career and lifestyle you want.
Save Your Cart
Share Your Cart