“If you love a book you tend not to follow it’s surface value, you follow the other things in it” ~ Danny Boyle
This is true many times friends have said you should read this book, they’ve outlined the contents and if I’ve been interested I’ve asked to borrow it, gone to the library or bought a copy. In other aspects of life we use the same approach. If someone says they’ve had a great service at a restaurant it’s likely you’ll go, if someone likes the quality of goods at a shop you’ll probably take a look, the list of examples goes on.
So why is it that with people we tend to make a judgement on the surface? People are about more than the external packaging. Vincent D’Oriofrio says “it’s pretty simple, pretty obvious: that people’s first impressions of people are really a big mistake.” Just like a book we should be looking beneath that cover! “When people rely on surface appearances alone and use society’s stereotypes then they lose their ability to assess and understand people accurately. Had they looked beyond the service they may have been surprised and in some cases averted negative situations.
I know and work with lots of people in business and while I don’t hide any of the things I’ve done in my life and whatever I’ve done can be found on Google, I’m amazed that so many have absolutely no idea of my experience, knowledge or qualifications. Are they seeing society’s stereotypes? Are they just seeing the lady who heads HEALS (Help Empowerment And Local Support)?
I wonder what they’d think if they looked beyond the surface? There’s much more to me than they choose to see! I’ve worked in retail management, I’m a qualified adult educator and have taught on a range of subjects, I’ve been a non-executive Director of three organisations and was Vice Chair of a national UK organisation. I’ve been an Audit Commission Inspector, a publican, a sub-postmistress and I’ve given presentations to audiences of over 500 people!
As Jim Brown said “I’m not interested in trying to work on people’s perceptions. I am who I am and if you don’t take the time to learn about that, then your perception is going to be your problem.” It’s interesting that to some degree I’ve been overlooked while others have been put centre stage yet it’s these people’s actions who’ve proved to be false and it’s been their actions that were detrimental. On another level my ideas are recognised and so I’m left bemused.
What can I do to help people understand me? I can change my approach, I can change the outside appearance, I can talk about things in my life other than HEALS but no matter what I do if people are not prepared to listen, it doesn’t change. Believing in yourself, having integrity and holding to your values will always get you through, in business and life!
Looking beyond the surface with people is important in business because you’re trusting others with your brand. If you trust the wrong person you put everything you’ve worked for and your brand at risk. Developing relationships and trust is vital. Perhaps we should all reflect and think about the people in our working lives just like a book. As Danny Boyle says “if you love a book you tend not to follow it’s surface value, you follow the other things in it” because when we do then the doors to success in life can really begin.
alisoncrossjones 