Karl Bimshas Consulting

MANAGE BETTER LEAD WELL

  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Karl Bimshas
      • Leadership Point of View
      • Bio
    • FAQs
    • Testimonials
      • Interviews
    • Why Value-Based Fixed Fees
    • Statement of Privacy
  • Leadership Development
    • Leadership Accountability Audit
    • Strategic Leadership
    • Leadership Scorecard
    • Optimize Your Leadership
    • Leadership Assessments
      • Core Competencies Index
      • DISC
      • DISC Lite
    • Accountability
      • Kick-Ass Boss
  • Leadership Drift Assessment
    • Leadership Vibe Check
  • Books
    • Bimshas Books
      • How to Stay When You Want to Quit
      • Welcome to Leadership
      • GIVE A DAMN!
      • Disposable Journal
      • Disposable Journal: Weekend Edition
      • Pushing Back the Ocean
      • 132 Leadership Tips
    • Leadership Workbooks
      • Perspectives
      • Lead on Purpose
      • Sales Management Monthly Briefing
      • Mind Map Workbook
    • The Manage Better Lead Well Series
    • ESSAYS ON
  • Contact
    • Friends Don’t Let Friends Become Lousy Leaders
    • Payment Page
  • Newsletter
    • Sign up!
      • Update Your Information
      • Links
        • More Links
          • Your 90-Day Review
          • Monthly Offer
      • Surveys
        • Do My Employees Need Coaching?
      • Invitation
        • INFO AND INVITATION
    • Your Opinion
      • Leadership Innovation Council
      • Market Research
      • WORKSHOPS SURVEY
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Podcast
      • Past Episodes
        • Leadership In Unusual Times
          • Podcast Questions
    • AHA Deck of Cards
      • Shipping
    • The Pro-Democracy Leadership Guide: 
    • CONNECT. ENGAGE. ACT.
    • Lyderis
      • Leadership Library
        • Invitation to The Leadership Library
    • Mini-Courses
      • Explain That Behavior
      • Lead On Purpose Course
    • Your Path to Effective Leadership: WORKSHEET
    • Ways to Praise
    • Leadership Development Box
    • Leadership Goal-Setting
    • Be The Kind of Leader Who Gives a CRAP
    • The Solution Exchange
    • Compass
  • EVENTS

Navigating the Duality of Leadership: Truth vs. Perception

October 25, 2023 Karl Bimshas

A.I. Generated image illustrating "Navigating the Duality of Leadership: Truth vs. Perception" by Karl Bimshas

Effective leaders must be aware of two distinct versions of reality and learn to navigate them. 

Version 1 – How It Happens:

This version represents the actual events, decisions, and actions. It deals with the reality as it unfolds: the unvarnished truth, encompassing successes and failures, challenges and choices. 

Version 2 – How We Choose to Remember It:

This version is subjective, selective, and influenced by personal biases, emotions, and the desire to remember leadership in a certain way. It differs from Version 1 because it’s based on how individuals perceive and interpret events. People create narratives (and autobiographies) based on Version 2, which can serve either as inspiration or manipulation.

Understanding and managing the interplay between these two versions is important for effective and ethical leadership. 

  • Be aware of both versions, recognizing the impact of your actions in Version 1 and conscious of the narratives created in Version 2. This awareness helps you make informed, ethical decisions aligned with your values.
  • Assess Version 1, recognizing both successes and failures, celebrating achievements, and addressing mistakes with integrity and empathy.

The leaders who admit their failures and shortcomings in Version 1 encourage personal growth and lasting change. Being candid about experiences and decisions builds trust and inspires authenticity among followers.

Version 1 provides the foundation for reality, while Version 2 allows for inspiration and change. The essence of leadership lies in finding a balance between these two versions. By acknowledging and embracing this duality, you can lead with purpose and impact, navigating the complexity between your leadership roles’ objective and subjective realities.

Reflections on Leadership

Search Here

Key Links

  • Do I Need an Accountability Partner?
  • Do My Employees Need Coaching?
  • Leadership Point of View
  • Kick-Ass Boss
  • Bimshas Books
  • Blog
  • DISC
  • Resources
  • Why Value-Based Fixed Fees
  • User’s Guide

EVENTS

SparkLab Summit September 13, 2025

PODCAST

RSS The Podcast

  • 392. Do You Recognize Them?
  • 391. The Kind Modern Leader
  • 390. Sometimes, Leaders Forget to Prepare for Their Success
  • 389. Building Accountability into Leadership
  • 388. Practice Leadership on the S.I.D.E.
  • 387. How Do I Start to Lead?
  • 386. Weak Leaders Fear Empathy; Strong Leaders Use It

Latest Books on Amazon

Popular Products

  • DISC
  • Disposable Journal: Weekend Edition
  • How to Stay When You Want to Quit
  • Leadership Scorecard

Recent Posts

  • Evaluating Leadership Using the Karl Bimshas Consulting Leadership Scorecard
  • No More Drifting
  • Are You Experiencing Leadership Drift?
  • 16 Years of Aha
  • The Values Grid: Unlocking Purposeful Leadership Through Reflection

© 2025 Karl Bimshas Consulting

Contact

Karl Bimshas Consulting
2150 Comstock Street #710192
San Diego, CA 92111

info@KarlBimshasConsulting.com

Where to Start

  • 1. Browse the Resources Page
  • 2. Assess Your Leadership Attributes
  • 3. Do You Need an Accountability Partner?
  • 4. Act on Purpose – Leadership Goal-Setting

Copyright © 2025 · Equilibre on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in