“What do you know to be true?” This is a question I often ask my clients when they are challenged considering a different perspective because they are “stuck” with an assumption.

Emotions can provide us with useful information

Just yesterday, I was speaking with a client of mine, and she was incredibly frustrated about a situation on her team. I asked her “What else is possible?” and she looked at me and responded with nothing. I recognized she was in such an emotional state that she couldn’t let go of her assumptions. To help her, I asked, “What do you know to be true?” By slowing down and getting curious about what she knew to be true vs. what assumptions she was making, she was able to start to recognize that she wasn’t considering all that was possible. In fact this helped her to see that she was jumping to conclusions with no clear evidence. This led us to briefly discuss the Ladder of Inference.

When was the last time you got “hijacked” by assumptions based on a past experience?

How often do you notice being “hijacked” by assumptions or past experiences? We all get caught in this type of experience. The Ladder of Inference is a mental model that uses a metaphor (rungs on a ladder) revealing steps of how we make decisions. Most often, we don’t “climb each step” before making a decision or taking action. Instead, we often fail to fully interpret data, make assumptions based on past experiences which may or may not be relevant, and form our beliefs without considering all that is necessary to consider. This impacts how we act in response. When we jump to conclusions without considering all of the data and checking how our assumptions or beliefs are formed, we are in theory allowing our brain to hijack our thought process. As a result, we often make snap decisions which do not always serve us or the situation.

It’s important to increase one’s self-awareness around reactions and responses and consider different perspectives

The way we often make meaning is based on past experiences which may or may not be relevant to the current experience, leading us to jump to conclusions without rationally thinking everything through. Until we gain more self-awareness around how we react or respond and our individual biases, we can continue down a path that is not in our or others’ best interest. Understanding the Ladder of Inference, being curious about each rung of the ladder, asking yourself questions, and considering different perspectives can help you to slow down and make more informed decisions. And having someone to challenge your thought process can be even more impactful. When we collaborate or have a thought partner, we can go further, faster.

How do you imagine making assumptions or jumping to conclusions helps you or hurts you? Who can you count on to hold you accountable to slow down and consider all that is important before making a decision? Interested in learning more about how working with an executive leadership coach can serve you, your team or your organization? Let’s connect.

“Remember, we see the world not as it is but as we are. Most of us see through the eyes of our fears and our limiting beliefs and our false assumptions.” – Robin S. Sharma