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The Dangers of Assuming
Why we assume, how it harms us — and how to become more mindful of assumptions
As humans and as leaders we constantly make assumptions: we draw on our past experiences to find patterns in how the world works.
Susan David refers to our mind as a meaning-making machine. Our minds use assumptions to make sense of the billions of bits of stimuli and sensory information we are bombarded with every day.
Assumptions save our brains the hassle and energy of analyzing each situation completely anew. They help us navigate many of the repetitive components of modern life.
However, many of the assumptions we make can harm our communication and our relationships, as leaders and as humans.
“The most misleading assumptions are the ones you don’t even know you’re making.” — Douglas Adams
A comforting (but false) story we tell ourselves
Assumptions are based on past experience, and have the task of protecting us from further harm. As Brené Brown explains, when something difficult happens — your partner is cold or distant, someone cuts you off in traffic, a colleague seems dismissive during a meeting — your brain begs you…
