Beyond the Illusion: When to Stop Clapping and Start Seeing the Truth

Just a few days ago, I started thinking about how projection and performance are often far apart, yet they strongly influence the perception of the decision-maker. It’s fascinating—and a little frustrating—how people who look successful often get ahead, even when their actual performance doesn’t match the image they create. In almost every field, from business to politics, perception shapes reality, often more than actual results do. It’s like picking a restaurant based on Instagram pictures, only to realize later that the food was microwaved, and the best thing on the menu was the filtered lighting.

This is why in offices, the person who talks the most in meetings is often the one who gets promoted, while the one actually doing the work remains stuck. It’s not that hard work isn’t valued—it’s just that decision-makers often rely on what they see rather than what’s actually happening. If someone walks around confidently, drops industry buzzwords, and presents a sleek PowerPoint filled with impressive (but meaningless) graphs, they are perceived as competent. Meanwhile, the quiet worker who consistently delivers but doesn’t market themselves remains unnoticed. It’s not fair, but it’s how the game is played.

This principle doesn’t just apply to individuals; it’s deeply embedded in the corporate world. Startups that have never made a dollar in profit often get billion-dollar valuations because they have convinced investors that one day they will. The logic is simple: if you can sell a vision well enough, people will buy into it—even before you prove it works. Companies with flashy branding and big promises often attract more funding than stable, well-performing businesses that don’t project themselves as aggressively. It’s the business equivalent of a person with expensive clothes and no savings being mistaken for wealthy while the frugal millionaire goes unnoticed.

Politics is another prime example of how projection dominates decision-making. Election campaigns are built on promises that sound amazing in theory but rarely hold up in reality. Politicians confidently declare, "We will create 10 million jobs!" or "We will fix the economy!" as if these things can be done with the push of a button. The strategy is simple: say something convincingly enough, and people will believe it. Once elected, the actual performance often fails to match the grand projections, but by then, the votes are already cast, and accountability is conveniently delayed until the next election cycle. (Much like those grand promises—vanishing faster than their seats in the Delhi election.)

The reason projection works so well is that humans love a good story. Decision-makers, whether CEOs, investors, or voters, don’t always have time to dig into the details. Performance absolutely matters, but showcasing it effectively is just as important. Excelling at what you do is valuable, but making sure others recognize your contributions opens the right doors. When talent is paired with confidence, opportunities follow. Those who communicate their impact well often stand out, proving that success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about ensuring your efforts are seen and appreciated.

This doesn’t mean performance doesn’t matter—it absolutely does. But relying on performance alone without projecting it in the right way often leads to missed opportunities. If you’re great at what you do but don’t ensure that people see your contributions, someone with half your skill but twice your confidence will outshine you. The loudest person in the room is often perceived as the smartest, whether or not they actually are.

The key takeaway is balance. If you’re an employee, work hard, but also ensure your efforts are visible. If you’re a decision-maker, don’t be fooled by smooth talkers—demand proof, not just promises. If you’re an entrepreneur, know that selling a vision is important, but it must be backed by real results. So not very much clear or in details but, projection and performance will always be in a silent battle. One dazzles, the other delivers. The real trick isn’t just admiring the magician’s show—it’s knowing when to stop clapping and start questioning how the trick was done. Because in the end, it’s not the illusion that matters, but what’s actually behind the curtain.