top of page

How to stop making unhelpful assumptions

Writer's picture: Alice SheldonAlice Sheldon

Do you ever find yourself assuming what is going on for someone else, without stopping to think whether it's actually true? We pass a colleague in the corridor who doesn't say 'hello' and assume they are upset about the email we sent. Later we discover that they are having some personal difficulties.


Please do watch this video tip on using curiosity to combat unhelpful assumptions, or read the transcript below.


💭 Introduction: How often do we assume we know what is going on with someone else, only to discover later that we were wide of the mark?


💭 Main Tip: It’s easy for us to jump to conclusions based on thinking subconsciously that other people will respond the same way as us. Instead, today’s tip is to start with curiosity, with the aim of understanding the other person’s behaviour, rather than confirming our assumptions about it.


💭 Example: Let’s say a team member seems disengaged in your meetings. Instead of assuming that they’re not interested and reacting accordingly, you could try openly asking afterwards, “I’m curious how you’re finding these meetings?” You may find that you are surprised by the answer, and it’s absolutely nothing to do with their interest levels.


💭 Over to you: So this week, you could focus on noticing your assumptions, and then swapping them for questions. You could start your sentences with “I’m wondering…” or “I’m curious…” and see where it takes you.


💭 Closing: Doing things this way can help twofold – it’s likely to build stronger connections, and it means that we solve the real problems, not the ones that we assume exist.

Commentaires


What people say
2024.02.29 Jonny.jpg

Needs Understanding is such a powerful and flexible tool.

It's helped me to find new ways forward in challenging situations, and to build even stronger relationships.

Jonathan Parr, Headteacher,

UK Junior School

©2024 by Needs Understanding

bottom of page