I've Heard Good Things

Assume Positive Intent

I haven’t shared written thoughts publicly in some time. Today, I hope to kick things off again. I’ll be brief. 

The most valuable corporate lesson I’ve learned over the years is to approach every conversation with the utmost empathy for the other parties involved. This is hard to do, especially for someone who is as opinionated as me. It’s also broad. “Practice empathy”… thanks for the advice dude… what the hell does that mean? Well, about a week ago, I heard a laconic colleague define it perfectly: assume positive intent. 

Before you jump all over a co-worker or team, or even a whole department, take a moment and go under the assumption they were acting with the best of intentions. This approach helps frame the questions you ask, and the answers you’ll receive. It keeps them from going on the defensive, and most importantly, it allows them to be the ones to admit they made a mistake, rather than you being the one point it out for them, or rubbing their noses in it. Where did the phrase ‘rub their noses in it’ come from anyway? I just looked it up and apparently it’s how you housebreak a pet. That’s a horrible image.  

Anyway, back to assuming positive intent. I’m not good at this at all yet. But I’m going to work on it. I’m pretty sure this is the secret to everything: Success, money, women, stickers, rubix cubes. You name it.