How has perception vs reality had a positive or negative effect on your leadership or life?

I think the media has a big hand on creating perception that is not normal for example the fear factor on what is happened in France is creating a frenzy here in the USA on the subject of refugees, border, and how to handle ISIS.

As a leader or as someone that takes charge of their own success or failures, you must be able to perceive how you would like things to be. At the same time, seeking the wisdom to know how they WILL be realistically.