We like to believe we’re objective, that we perceive the world and respond with logic and clarity. But the truth is, we interpret everything through filters shaped by our gender, age, past experiences, and even our personality.
As Anaïs Nin said, “We don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are.”
Let’s examine how your personality style influences the way you perceive people and situations.
The Eagle Lens
People with the Eagle style see the world through results, action, and speed. They identify inefficiency, indecision, and passivity and believe that taking control can solve any problem. For an Eagle, action is the solution. For others, it might seem like aggression.
The Parrot Lens
Parrots view the world through optimism, energy, and a sense of possibility. They see potential, creativity, and adventure everywhere. Parrots might perceive someone who is practical or questioning as negative, cold, or boring. For Parrots, if you’re not hopeful and positive, then you are being negative.
The Dove Lens
Doves view the world with empathy, connection, and warmth. To them, bluntness may seem insensitive or thoughtless. Their outlook is based on feelings, so when others speak or act without thinking about how it might affect someone’s feelings, Doves often see it as rude or inconsiderate.
The Owl Lens:
Owls see the world through logic and structure. They notice flaws, inconsistencies, and missing details. When others act too quickly, joke excessively, or make gut-based decisions without data, Owls may consider them irresponsible.
Mistaking Your Lens for Reality
When we fail to recognize that we see the world through the lens of our personality, we:
- Judge others for not being like us.
- Overvalue our strengths and undervalue those of others.
- Believe our way of being is not a way of being but the way of being.
Changing the Lens Changes Everything
Realizing that we see the world not as it is, but through our own perspective, is a powerful step toward personal growth and deeper connection. Remember that your personality lens isn’t just one viewpoint, but many others exist, and they are just as valid.
About Merrick Rosenberg
Merrick Rosenberg is the creator of the Eagle, Parrot, Dove, and Owl personality framework and author of Personality Intelligence: Master the Art of Being You. As an award-winning speaker and founder of Take Flight Learning, Merrick has helped hundreds of thousands of people unlock the power of personality styles to transform their communication, leadership, and relationships. He’s on a mission to make self-awareness accessible, fun, and unforgettable.
