Leadership Question: Should you live your life according to people’s perceptions?

Here’s the truth:

If you chase perceptions, you’ll always be reacting. People see only fragments of your actions and often form opinions without the full story. Live by that, and you’ll lose your grounding.

But ignoring perceptions entirely isn’t wise either. How others see you shapes trust, credibility, and influence.

On social media, people often tell me it looks like I’m always traveling or that I’m super busy all the time. The perception comes from the highlights I share. 

But what they don’t see are the quiet mornings of preparation, late evenings of building community, or the intentional time I spend with family. 

That gap between what people see and what is real reminds me daily: perceptions may shape the story, but values must guide the leader.

👉 The balance:

Lead with your values.

Be aware of perceptions (they reveal blind spots).

Stay authentic — consistency matters more than approval.

Leadership is not about pleasing everyone; it’s about leading with clarity while staying open to learning how you’re perceived.