Assume Positive Intent

Originally published on November 4, 2019

Recently I read in one of my books about a personal motto of a successful business leader who employs a strategy of assuming positive intent in his career. What does that mean? His definition is that we should assume those around us are motivated by positive intentions.

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When we encounter people in our lives, whether they be people appointed over us in authority, co-workers, subordinates, people we meet in the community, and even friends and family, we should assume that they have positive intent in their interactions with us.

Encountering people that we prejudice in our minds as being incompetent team members, overly demanding customers, unfair bosses, or apparently hostile colleagues, the temptation to react with anger and defensiveness may be enormous. Instead, the author of the book says, resist that temptation and reconsider the notion that those people around you are motivated by positive intentions – until they make that assumption impossible to maintain.

When I read that chapter in the book, I found myself nodding in agreement with the concept. It's something that I have been practicing myself for some years now, but I didn't have a name for it. The personal practice of mine has enabled me to avoid unnecessary conflict where there was only a difference in perspective or understanding. Rather than me taking a negative intent approach to what others were doing or had done, I tried to make the opposite approach and assume they meant to do something good, something right or correctly, but either didn't succeed or didn't do it in a way that I would have.

Once I realized this technique for myself, I started to employ it subconsciously. It took me a while to do it regularly, and things began to change for the better, and I became more productive and more comfortable to work alongside. When my bosses came to me and questioned something that happened or that I had done, I chose not to assume negative intent on their part – thinking that they were trying to get me into trouble or hang me up for something that went wrong. I didn't take the idea that the answer I would give would incriminate me and paint me in a negative light. Instead, I assumed positive intent in my boss's questions. My boss was trying to solve a puzzle of his own, seeking the facts of an incident or event and needed my answers to do so. If I had done something wrong, it has never been done intentionally or with malice and deceit in mind. No, when I had done something wrong, it was either an honest mistake or that I hadn't had the proper training or knowledge to do it correctly.

So at that point, I chose to take any mistake I made as an opportunity to learn and grow. My boss's questions helped enlighten me on things I didn't think of and figure out ways to ensure I did things better the next time. By my assuming positive intent in my bosses' questions, I not only provided him the answers he needed to do his job correctly, but I also helped ensure that I grew as a person, as an employee and showed my boss that I am capable of being an ethical and responsible employee. One who can be depended on to get the job done, learn from any mistakes I make, and one who will give honest answers when asked. That also shows that I was dependable to my boss and that he could come to me with problems when he needed help on something which ultimately helps me, him, and the place we worked.

Assuming positive intent doesn't mean you have to be a push-over or seem vulnerable either. We, humans, are quite adept at picking out those people who are out to get us most of the time. There are ways, methods, and procedures to deal with those who assume a negative intent when they interact with you. Be strong, be positive, and be clear about your work, your intentions, and in everything you do.

We all make mistakes; that's part of being human and living in an imperfect universe. You and I here at LCCD are no different. The difference is how we react to those mistakes. When I come to you asking about what happened with a particular incident or call we had where something went wrong, please assume positive intent on my part with you. I'm not looking to get anyone in trouble — quite the contrary. What I am doing with those questions is getting all the facts and looking for ways we did the best we could at the time given what circumstances were at the time. I'm also looking for ways to improve the process that may have led to a mistake and respond appropriately to those who are asking me about any perceived error.

Always assume positive intent. When we practice this, we find that it holds true more often than not with those around us. The vast majority of people are not out to get anyone.

Together we can reinforce one another and grow stronger and faster in our relationships both personally and professionally when we assume positive intent on the other person's part.

Assume positive intent.

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