Everyone has filters through which the world is viewed. Upbringing, education, experience, preferences, and more all color the image we see. Distorting the picture; not necessarily in a negative way – there is after all a saying about rose-colored glasses.
The interesting part, at least for me, is that I don’t believe we can remove our personal filters completely. No one has an unbiased view, because everyone has a history that influences who they’ve become in the present.
The reason I wrote “in the present” is that we can:
- identify the filters we have
- be aware of how they impact what we see
- keep the ones that enrich our view in ways that make us successful
- decide which filters don’t serve us well and change them
Part 1: what you choose to look at
The larger image is the view when I look up above my desk. We call them our portholes – it’s a solar tube letting more light in.
In your role as an inside sales leader and manager, it’s important to be aware of what you’re choosing to look for.
- Are you seeking people doing the right things, or trying to catch people’s miss steps and mistakes?
- Do you want to celebrate success or punish failure?
- Are you focused on numbers or people?
- When you’re looking at reports are they on activity or results?
It’s less about WHAT your answers are, than being aware of where you are choosing to focus your attention – when I look out the window in front of me it’s a mountain view which is much different than the porthole view I’ve shared.
Part 2: the filters that you apply
The six alternative images are my porthole filtered through the Prisma app. While my porthole views are typically unrecognizable – adding the filter makes them even more abstract.
I begin to see a Chinese character, someone’s tattoo, kind of like looking at clouds and searching for something recognizable.
Our views of people, their behavior, and actions can be distorted by our filters too.
- Expectations
- What just happened with someone else on the team
- History with the person
- Your own personal experiences in similar situations
- Current Emotional State: fears, worries, concerns, excitement, interest, enthusiasm, etc.
The key is to be mindful of what filters we are applying in our interactions. Take the time to make sure you’re aware of what is impacting you, in the moment.
Part 3: why bother?
By being aware of your filters, you can make sure the filters you use in any given conversation or communication allow you to make the best decision possible.
In my case: looking up, checking out the porthole view to decide what today’s weather is going to be like and what to wear :
- is probably not the best choice of “Part 1: what you choose to look at.”
- If I then add one of my six Prisma filters to the picture “Part 2: the filters that you apply” are not making it easier for me to make a good decision!
Take the time to understand your filters, it will make your inside sales leadership vision come into sharper focus.