There are a lot of assumptions in life. We make assumptions based on our past experiences, the opinions of others, or sometimes just pure guesswork. While assumption can help guide our decision-making, it can also lead us astray if we’re not careful. In this blog, I talk about the power of assumption busting and how it can help you solve problems more effectively.
We all tend to make assumptions in any given situation. We assume that our co-workers know what we’re talking about when we use jargon-y language. We assume that our boss is aware of the great job we’re doing. We assume that our company’s clients understand our product. But more often than not, our assumptions are wrong. And when they are, it can lead to miscommunications, misunderstandings, and problems.
Assumption busting is a tool that can help you avoid these problems by encouraging you to challenge your assumptions and think about things from other people’s perspectives. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of assumption busting and how you can use it during problem-solving.
The Benefits of Assumption Busting
When you challenge your assumptions, you open yourself up to new ways of thinking and new solutions to problems. Here are three specific benefits of assumption busting:
1. improved communication and understanding between people;
2. greater creativity and innovation; and
3. better decision-making.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these benefits:
1. Improved communication and understanding between people: When you challenge your assumptions, you force yourself to think about things from other people’s perspectives—which can help improve communication and understanding between people.
For example, let’s say you’re working on a project with a team member with a different job title than you. You might assume that this person doesn’t have the skills or knowledge necessary to complete the project successfully. But if you take the time to talk to them and explain what the project entails, you may find that they have the perfect skill set for the job and can contribute in ways you never expected.
2. Greater creativity and innovation: When you challenge your assumptions, it allows you to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative solutions to problems—solutions that you may never have considered before. So next time you’re stuck, instead of defaulting to the same old solution, take a step back and ask yourself if there might be a better way to solve the problem.
3. Better decision-making: When you challenge your assumptions, it helps you gather more accurate information, leading to better decision-making. For example, let’s say you’re considering launching a new product or service but are unsure if there’s a need in the marketplace. Suppose you rely solely on your own experience and biases. In that case, chances are you’ll make the wrong call—but if you talk to potential customers and get their feedback, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision about whether or not there’s a need for your product or service.
Conclusion:
Assumption busting is a powerful tool that can help improve communication and understanding between people, encourage greater creativity and innovation, and lead to better decision-making. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, try busting some assumptions—you may be surprised at what comes out!
