Do you want to know the TRUTH about someone? Then it’s probably best NOT to ask them!
A new study confirms what many of us have already known — people frequently have an inflated opinion of themselves. So often times when someone is telling us about themselves, they’re usually talking about the person they think they are, instead of the person they really are.
Prof. Brian Connelly of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and Prof. Ute Hülsheger of Maastricht University, conducted a study of 111 employees who self-rated and then were rated by 106 personal acquaintances (including family members) and 102 co-workers. Their findings uncovered an interesting disconnect in the opinions the employees had of themselves, versus the opinions their co-workers, families and friends had of them.
Mistaking one’s own personality is not always intentional. Humans frequently speak of themselves in flowery terms: nice, intelligent, attractive, etc. However, these are all opinions subject to one’s own concept of what defines nice, intelligent or attractive. What’s nice or attractive to them may not necessarily be what’s nice or attractive to everyone else. These terms are so subjective, they frequently blur the lines of reality in discovering someone and their true and accurate personality.
Asking someone about themselves is a good start, but is not the finish line. Asking others about someone is a better start, but is still not the finish line. Combining the 2 options then observing behavior for yourself is the only clear and concise way of truly learning about someone.
