What happens when your perception of yourself differs from others’ perceptions of you?  Are you able to recognize the discrepancy between the two? The British Broadcast Company (BBC) has a classic television series entitled The Office and is available on NetFlix.  The instructor can rent the series to show selected episodes to the class. By going to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ The_Office_(UK_TV series), learners have the opportunity to read about the various characters on the show demonstrating the difference between individual impressions of one’s personality and how others might be perceiving that person.

Questions:

1. Have students think about bosses, friends, or others that believe their personality to be one way, i.e. bright, witty, well-liked, and the reality is much different. 

2. How do these differences affect the workplace or their friendships with that person?

3. Do you recognize your own personality traits and are they the same as others see them?  For example you view yourself as an extravert, do you think others see you the same way?  Are you the life of the party or do you really stand back and wait to see what the action might be like?