Base Your Conclusions on Facts, Not Assumptions

Our brains are wired to fill in gaps and make sense of our surroundings using inferences drawn from past experiences. This mental shortcut helps us navigate daily life without overanalyzing everything. However, relying too heavily on assumptions can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts. While assumptions save time and energy by reducing the need to analyze every detail, there are moments when verifying information is essential to maintaining trust and harmony in relationships.

As a leader, it’s crucial to challenge assumptions—your own and those of others—and consider alternative explanations. The human brain often gravitates toward negative assumptions when encountering incomplete information. For instance, an employees once complained that her supervisor and the department manager were talking negatively about her. When I asked her how she knew this, she explained that they had a closed-door meeting after her weekly check-in, during which she overheard laughter. She was convinced they were mocking her. To address the situation, I encouraged her to question her assumptions and focus on gathering more concrete details before drawing conclusions.

Many people fall into a self-fulfilling prophecy driven by assumptions rather than facts. While we often think we understand someone else’s intentions, we would not want others to make unfounded assumptions about us. How can we avoid these assumption traps and prioritize facts? Here are five strategies:

1. Cultivate Awareness

Our five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—play a critical role in how we perceive the world. When we witness something, electrical signals travel to the brain, triggering an emotional reaction in the amygdala before the “thinking” part of the brain processes the information. This emotional reaction might influence our assumptions. Before reacting, pause and ask yourself: Why am I feeling this way? What is prompting this response?

2. Engage Your Thinking Mind

Once you recognize your emotional response, take a step back. Name the emotion and shift your focus to the facts. Emotional reactions don’t have to dictate our actions. As leaders, managing our own emotions is a necessary step before helping others navigate theirs.

3. Focus on Facts

Describe what you know rather than what you feel. Acknowledge emotions without allowing them to dominate your perspective. Recognize that emotions can cloud judgment and explore other possible explanations for the situation.

4. Reflect on Your Emotional Triggers

Ask yourself: Why did I react this way? Was it tied to a past experience, a lack of trust, or an insecurity? Identifying the root of your emotional response can enhance self-awareness and strengthen your leadership skills.

5. Strengthen Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness helps leaders assess when and how to act. To refine this skill, consider the following questions:

• How often do I act on unchecked assumptions?
• Am I aware that I might confuse assumptions with facts?
• What steps can I take to improve self-awareness?
• How might my assumptions impact my leadership and team dynamics?

Lead with Clarity, Not Assumptions

Leading based on assumptions can undermine morale, create misunderstandings, and hinder effective decision-making. Assumptions prioritize personal biases over objective facts and can harm relationships and team performance. Instead:

• Practice active listening to gain deeper insights into others’ concerns.
• Foster open dialogue to gather accurate information.
• Verify facts before acting.
• Challenge your own assumptions and be willing to admit when you are wrong.

Effective leadership requires a commitment to understanding the truth rather than relying on preconceived notions. By grounding your conclusions in facts, you build trust, strengthen relationships, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and understood.