Impression Management – influencing what people see?
Some of you may be familiar with the theory of “impression management”. It’s been defined as, “the effort to control or influence the perceptions of other people. This could be their perception of a certain person (this includes you!), a material possession, or an event. The theory goes on to explain that we try to make the perception consistent with our goals.” I’m sure this is a very relevant theory for celebrities trying to balance a life of normalcy with the downfalls of stardom. But for ordinary, humble Americans, it’s not often something we think about. I’ve been told lately that I need to brag about myself more in my career. That one of the only ways to get ahead is to focus on impression management as often as possible.…