Your Opinions of Colleagues Say a Lot About You

01/23/2012

When you respect those that you work with and work for, it makes you want to work harder to impress, right?

Of course--whether it’s a professor in school or a talented editor, I want them to think my writing and thoughts are worthwhile and effective. I want them to think I’m as talented as they are. 

It turns out there is scientific research to back this notion up. We live up to our expectations in others. But in fact, it goes even deeper than this. The more positive we are about the people around us, the happier and more effective we are.

Science Daily reports that “University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have found that study participants who conjured positive imaginary co-workers contributed more in the actual workplace, both in job performance and going above and beyond their job descriptions to help others.”

According to Peter Harms, UNL assistant professor of management and the study's lead author, whether your perceptions are completely made up or accurate, they have the same impact on the work that you do. 

"When you make up imaginary peers, they are completely a product of how you see the world," Harms said. "Because of that we can gain better insight into your perceptual biases. That tells us a lot about how you see the world, how you interpret events and what your expectations of others are."

Judgements Shape Perceptions

Our judgements really do shape our perceptions into the world that we live. You see–we shape our own perspectives and when these perspectives are negative we can quickly put ourselves into a funk.

Realizing that you’re doing this is half the battle and afterwards you can begin to notice situations and people that make you more likely to fall victim to false judgements. Our moods are only energy and they are constantly changing. We have the power to use our breath and mindfulness to switch a funk to fantastic whenever we see it coming on, or at least focus on the positive rather than the negative.

Photo: Stockbyte

When judgement arises in my own life, it comes from a lack of self confidence. I feel somehow not good enough so I want to make myself feel better by judging those around me. But if I want to be completely honest about who I am, I realize this judgment makes me feel even worse. It’s a constant, but worthwhile battle to stay positive about this life I’ve been given.

“Researchers have long acknowledged the benefits of having a positive mindset, but getting an accurate assessment has always been difficult because people are typically unwilling or unable to make accurate self-appraisals, Harms said.”

Photo: Stockbyte

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