We all think we have a sense of who we are; what our personality is; our likes and dislikes; or whether we are an introvert or an extrovert. We like to think that we know what persona we have created for ourselves. Our persona has two parts though: who we think we are and who the people around us think we are. One thing we may never be certain about is how others perceive us. When we are interacting with others we may have no idea how they perceive our actions, view our demeanor or interpret our intentions. What people come away with, after interacting with us may be totally different than our internal perception of what that person’s assessment of us was. So how do we bridge that gap? How do we get a better feel for how people perceive us?

1. First take a moment to think about what is the persona you think you’ve created. How do you view yourself and how do you want others to view you? Only, when you actually think about your internal perceptions of yourself can you start to understand how others might see you.

2. Ask a good friend what their perception is of you. A trusted friend is always a good starting point. Ask them some pointed questions about how they perceive you. Be prepared for some constructive criticism.

3. Be aware of cues others give you when you interact. For a set period of time when you interact with people look for cues on how they respond to you. What is their attitude when you speak, when you first meet, when you interact?

4. Think about your style of dress and how that reflects you outwardly. Think about the colors you choose and the types of clothes you wear. Do you consciously pick out what you wear? How do you decide what styles you wear? Are you trying to go for a certain look?

5. Always carry yourself in a proper manner. Consistent body language helps define your persona. Use strong posture, don’t slouch when you walk. Sit upright in your chair. Think about your hand gestures and facial expressions. They should be realistic for you and accent what you are saying. How do you enter a room: self-assured or tentative? Do you move into the center of the room or tend to work to the sides or back of the room.

6. Don’t change who you are to accommodate others. While you’re working to refine your persona try to maintain your uniqueness. You aren’t trying to conform, you’re trying to fine tune who you are and how others perceive you.

7. Look around you. Who else is like you? What is your perception of them? Spend some time interacting with them. Get a feel for their persona.

Your persona is all about deciding who you are and developing your unique label. Part of that process is getting others to understand your persona as well. What’s your persona?