🐾 From Puppies to People: Perception, Bias, and Growth

Does how we show up today drive people’s opinion of us, or are we judged through the lens of who we used to be?

Are we measured by our past performance, our past roles, our history, or by the current, evolving version of ourselves?

These questions hit me this week while thinking about Brooklyn, our silly, affectionate two-year-old Cane Corso. We adopted her as a puppy from the Humane Society in 2023. She’s 80+ pounds now, full of life, and—like any young dog—easily excitable.

At boarding, I’ve heard comments like “she gets overly excited.” Yes, she does because she’s still a puppy. What they see is size and breed. What I see is a goofy, loving dog who literally crouches low to make herself smaller so she can play with her canine brother and other dogs at the park.

She’s being judged, not for who she is, but for what people think she represents.

And isn’t that the same challenge so many of us face?

Being viewed through the filter of our past roles or titles, rather than the value we bring today.Being judged by assumptions—our age, our background, our personality style—rather than the reality of who we are.Fighting against pre-conceived notions that overshadow growth, evolution, and transformation.

The truth is: bias exists. But so does the ability to overcome it. We do that by:

• Showing up consistently in alignment with who we are now, not just who we’ve been.

• Reframing the narrative when others cling to old versions of us.

• Extending grace to others, just as we hope they will to us.

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Brooklyn reminded me that even if people (or dogs!) are misunderstood at first glance, consistent actions and authentic presence can change perception over time.

So here’s the leadership reflection: Are you still letting yourself be defined by your past, or are you actively shaping the current ideation of yourself?

Because the power isn’t only in how others see us. The power is in how we continue to show up, again and again, until our present self speaks louder than our history.

#CoreIdentity #AuthenticLeadership #OvercomingBias #PerceptionVsReality #LeadershipDevelopment #GrowthMindset #VettaSales #FutureOfWork