PERCEPTION

In further reading Jack Whyte's, the Eagle I was inspired by an exchange in the book between Lancelot and King Arthur with Lancelot describing what he had learned about the word 'perception' from Merlin.

Merlin had told Lancelot that "People's perceptions can govern how they behave and even how they live their lives." Merlin went on to say, "Perceptions can influence a man, or a group of men, or an army, or even entire peoples, to change their ways of doing things and adopt new beliefs and new ideas. Perceptions - the way people perceive things - can shape destinies."

Lancelot spoke of 'perceptions' to the King as a prelude to his recommendation that he (Arthur) institute a baptism of a sort with his Round Table select. He spoke to Arthur of the perception these men had of him, his invulnerability through Excalibur, his ethics and honor, chivalry, his humanity and of his Godly ability to lead them and all of Britain. Lancelot recommended, as a way of instilling these perceptions back upon them, to use Excalibur. He said, "If they come to you in the veil of dawn, properly prepared and spiritually cleansed, and kneel before your feet in loyalty and humility, you will bless them with the power of the sword by laying its bare blade upon their shoulders, one, and then the other. Then, when they rise again, they will be transformed. Because they will be perceived, by their peers, and in their own eyes just as firmly, as being different, being altered ... being more than they were before."

And so the legend of Arthur suggests the the first knights ... the first Sirs ... were those of the fabled Round Table.

I couldn't help but consider the role 'perception' plays in marketing. Tangent invites readers to consider how perception may embolden their marketing. Discussions on perceptions in marketing ... at the next Communicati gathering.

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Jack Whyte, "The Eagle" (published by the Penguin Group 2005) perception p. 19 - 21