As a human, we are all part of many different organizations that shape our lives (Survey of Communication Study/Chapter 11 - Organizational Communication, 2015) and our perception of the world. Perception is how we process and interpret sensory information from our environment and use it to construct our individual version of reality (Influences on Perception, n.d.). Our perception dictates how we view individuals, the decisions we make, the first impressions we create, and traits the we attribute to situations we observe. These attributions are individual to each of us and not always accurate. This paper discusses expectations that we, knowingly or subconsciously, attribute to individuals, how these expectations shape our actions, …show more content…
I assumed that I had been thrust into a learning situation, which was upsetting because I was new to the field and desired a mentor. Based on her age alone, I made a snap judgment and almost returned to my previous job. I spent my first few days in training, but when I was able to formally meet with my new boss to discuss my future and the future of the department, I was met with education, eloquence, and a boss who was very well-versed in Human Resources. Whereas I assumed that she was a hire of convenience, it turns out that she had an Ivy League education and this promotion was her big break. She deserved her …show more content…
For the first time, I was in the company of many young people who were goal-focused and driven, rather than goofy and immature. I think back on how I almost went back to my old job without even getting to know my new boss and it floors me how incorrect my assumptions were. In this case, as in most situations, the more experiences you have and the more open that your mind is, the more you broaden your perspective. This was my first full-time office job and being in this new organization expanded my horizons and introduced me to a whole new type of coworker that shares the same values, goals, and successes as the firm, each other, and as me. I spent eight years in this position and learned the bulk of what I know from my boss. In hindsight, I am glad that I didn’t act irrationally and with the same level of immaturity that I attributed to her; I would have missed out on many of the successes I’ve had in my