Most everyone knows the aphorism about what
can happen when you assume things. You can draw a direct line between
assumptions and mistakes
and this is exactly what happens in most companies on a daily basis.
We assume that a certain task is done, but it isn't. We assume someone
else will remember to do something if we forget. We assume that our
manger or our company is looking out for our best interests. Assumptions
are nothing more than wild guesses about what is really happening.
In business, you need to be very careful about the assumptions you
make and work diligently to insure that people don't have to make assumptions
about your goals, work or character.
Our own assumptions
As with any change in behavior, if you want to change others, you
first need to look to yourself. While it is human nature to assume
things
-- much like a form of shorthand for making decisions -- you have
to know when you are assuming too much or when your assumptions
don't
match the circumstances. If you find yourself assuming frequently
during the day, and who doesn't, look for those opportunities to
confirm your
assumptions, especially when the correct information is very important
to getting the job done right. How often do your assumptions match
reality? If you are like most of us, you will find that your assumptions
are often slightly different or sometimes completely wrong.
Whenever you catch yourself in an incorrect assumption, think about
where you could have turned for information instead of making your
assumption. Whether it is out of overwork, fear or simple laziness,
too many of us don't ask the questions that need to be asked. Assumptions
allow us to blindly move forward and keep busy, if not productive.
In the worst cases, assumptions can be damaging to your work, your
company and your career. While you may have to make assumptions about
certain aspects of your life simply to get by, you need to carefully
monitor those important situations where assumptions are no replacement
for hard facts.
The assumptions of others
Though it is important to monitor our own assumptions, it is just
as important to insure that your actions don't open large informational
gaps that others will fill with their assumptions. Any time there
is
a lack of information, whether it is about Internet usage policies,
layoffs or corporate direction, this void will be filled with assumptions
by everyone involved. As you have seen in the little exercise above,
there will be many wrong assumptions. Now, multiply these bad assumptions
over the entire company or corporation. More than likely everyone
will start moving in their own direction, based on their own personal
assumptions,
instead of working together as a whole.
The typical case involves the CEO, the director or the manager who
assumes that their workers know what to do and why they are doing
it in the exact way it is being done. From their grand assumption
comes
a never-ending flow of assumptions from every one of their staff
members. Chaos usually results. Instead, everyone needs to qualify
their assumptions
and make sure they are not headed in the opposite direction. It is
an odd sensation when you realize that you are discussing apples
when your manager is discussing oranges, but it happens all the
time. I
am sure you see it every day. Instead of clear communication, we
get by on muddy assumptions, usually to our detriment.
If you are not sure if you understand something, ask questions. Don't
simply assume that things will work out. They usually won't. Then,
make sure that those around you understand their role. If you feel
that someone doesn't understand a task or project, ask them questions
or have them explain their description of the task until you feel
that both of you are in agreement. Don't let things slide. Don't
assume
they understand. Don't let the chaos multiply. If you want to become
more effective in your work, you have to monitor your assumptions
and the assumptions of others. Ignoring either can lead you down
a long
and tortuous road filled with bad decisions, wasted time and career
trouble. Break the cycle of bad assumptions so that you, your company
and your career can grow.
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