Wood Presents Sevenguidelines For Improving Perc

Wood presents seven Guidelines for Improving Perception and Communication:Recognize that all perceptions are partial and subjective: They are partial because you cannot perceive everything and subjective because you are influenced by many factors. Avoid thinking your perceptions are the only valid ones.Avoid mind reading: When you assume you understand what another thinks, feels, or perceives, you may be misinterpreting the person. Allow people to speak for themselves.Check perceptions with others: Because perceptions are partial and subjective, and because mind reading is ineffective, you need to compare your perceptions with others. Done in a non-accusatory way, this can minimize defensiveness and help you arrive at a mutual understanding.Distinguish between facts and inferences: Facts are objective statements based on observation. Inferences involve interpretation that goes beyond the facts. Use more tentative words like "seems" instead of "is" to differentiate an inference from a fact.Guard against the self-serving bias: Monitor yourself to see whether you unjustifiably attribute your accomplishments to your own efforts or attribute your failures or adverse behaviors to factors beyond your control.Guard against the fundamental attribution error: Monitor yourself to see whether you assume another's unwanted behavior is due to internal rather than external factors. Ask yourself, "What factors in