3 WORKING ASSUMPTIONS
I refer to these as “working assumptions” because they are essential to a successful interaction but, they might not be actually true or believed.
You must proceed in any interaction as though these three things are true. If any of the three defined below are not applied, you may quickly reach an impasse and not achieve a mutually positive result. If you cannot do this, consider making it a point of order to establish these three givens before continuing.
1. EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE INTERACTION IS A GOOD PERSON
DOING GOOD THINGS FOR GOOD REASONS
Remember that each individual is a “hero in his/her own ‘movie’. People tend to see themselves as trying to accomplish good things for good reasons.
For example:
If you and I are partners in a lemonade stand we will assume that we both want a successful business and an enjoyable work environment.
If we are parenting together we both want happy, healthy, safe, children.
If you are working on a security team at a concert or public gathering and you are intervening with someone accused of being disruptive, you both want the event to be fun and safe for all.
It is strategies and perceptions that differ, not general motivation or mission.
