WHAT DO YOU ASSUME?
written by Terry - October 5th, 2011 at 7:42 am
A message from Terry: Assumptions are funny things. In many ways, they’re the essential glue that holds the pieces of our day together. We assume that the lights will come on when we flip the switch. We assume, if we drop a pencil, that gravity will pull it down to the floor. We assume, when we get into our car and turn the key, that the engine will start, and that we’ll remember the route from home to the office, and back again.
Of course, there is also a dark side to assumptions, when they cause us to jump to unfounded conclusions, or lead us to indulge in knee-jerk reactions instead of thinking things through.
But there’s one particular assumption that has the potential to improve the culture of your team. What is it? I’ll tell you. That simple but powerful base-line assumption is this: assume positive intent.
Try it for a day. You may find that putting it into practice consistently isn’t all that easy. Many of us are in the habit of looking at the world – and at the actions of those around us – through a somewhat skeptical lens. But skepticism can be exhausting. Instead, for a day, deal with the various members of your team by assuming positive intent. Think of all of the bruised feelings and incipient turf wars that could be avoided if everyone on the team made a conscious effort to give each other the benefit of the doubt, as each new event unfolded.
Give it a try, even if it’s only for a day. You might find that you like the view so much, you won’t want to go back.
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