Perception

More Than

When is a piece of infrastructure more than its utilitarian function? When do we deem a structure to be remarkable or notable? Tower Bridge in London is one of many bridges on the River Thames. It is not the only one with history, royal initials, and adjoining key landmarks. Yet, this bridge is viewed more as an iconic part of the city than a functional crossing over water.

What, if any, parts of your organization achieve ‘more than’ status?

Perspective vs Perception

Perception is what we see. Perspective is how we interpret the information.

How do we use the generative mode of thinking to embrace both our perceptions and perspectives? If an outcome relies on making a decision, then we prioritize perspective. If we are working in a broader mindset, we benefit from both.

Confidence and Perception

Despite all the economic data accumulated and monitored, the emotional perception of the economy is gathered in a few reports; the Consumer Confidence and Survey of Consumer Perception reports are headline examples. These are reminders that despite economic indicators pointing in one direction, the consumer’s emotional state may be uncoupled from economic trends.

How might we incorporate the perception and confidence of those we serve into our deliberations? Few dashboards capture the human element, instead prioritizing headline numbers. Enrollment might be increasing, but the trust we anticipated we were building is actually eroding the foundation. Our assessment of an enterprise’s progress (or regression) may be forecasted by anecdotal narratives before the data quantifies the disruption or delight we have generated.