Assumption Decisions Are Made In Every Meeting
Meetings are often about decisions. They are also about information, thinking, and often about assumptions. Are you making assumption decisions?
At the very start of every meeting there are assumptions. The assumption about why Jane is missing, why Bob looks worried, and about how the meeting will evolve.
Most meetings expect reflection. Reflection is part of experiential learning and it is part of being a participant and contributor.
What are you reflecting upon?
Meeting Anxiety
Are you wondering what will happen when you’re asked to verbally contribute? Will you be called upon to vote, respond, or is the expectation to simply nod your head?
What is the elephant in the room? Is the elephant your imagination or do others feel the same thing?
Everyone knows that we shouldn’t make decisions based upon assumptions. However, when the data is lacking, when we’re lazy, or when our experiences tell us it is safe, we do it.
Technology and data are helping us get better. We have gauges and sensors that help eliminate assumptions.
The temperature in the room, made known by a gauge. A tire with low pressure on our car, known by a gauge. The amount of storage used on our computing device, yes, of course, known by the data or gauge.
Is valid and reliable data better than making an assumption?
Assumption Decisions
All of our modern conveniences help us do better by being smarter. We make better choices because the information seems irrefutable.
Occasionally, an assumption will get in the way. We’ll either choose to ignore the data or we’ll take a different path because the path appears more consistent with our gut feel.
What assumption decisions are you or your team making? And the outcomes, how have they worked out?
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
