The One Word That Gets You in Trouble Every Time...

…and yet, you still use it! 🤦‍♀️ 

✅ I’ll start with a life situation as an example:

My husband and I were getting our terrace remodeled. On Day 2, I noticed the fence column was placed far away from the wall of the house. Concerned, I asked my husband to talk to the contractor the next morning.

His response: “I assume they just left it there temporarily. They’ll fix it tomorrow.”

So, he didn’t ask. 🤔 

By the end of the next day, the column was permanently mounted in the same, incorrect spot.😭 

Now stressed, he contacted the contractor, who explained: “Oh, I assumed you’d want to use the outlet, so I left extra space” (we never use it there).

The results?

• My husband was stressed because he had assumed.

• The contractor had to redo the work because he had assumed.

Sounds familiar?

✅ Now, let’s take this to the workplace:

Manager: “We need to put Jane on a Performance Improvement Plan. She’s underperforming. I can’t deal with this anymore.”

Me: “Have you had a 1:1 with her to make her aware of the specific areas for improvement?”

Manager: “No, but I’ve mentioned it in passing many times. I'd assume she got the message.”

Jane (later): “What?! I had no idea! No one ever told me I am underperforming!”

💡 Assuming = Guessing

When we assume, we make a guess and then act like it is a reality. We start to believe in what we have created in our minds about another person’s perception, thoughts, or intentions. 😬 

This leads to unnecessary stress, miscommunication, mistakes, and even damaged relationships.

💡 The solution? 

STOP ASSUMING.

START COMMUNICATING.

Even if the conversation is going to be tough. 

Clear communication saves time, reduces stress, and prevents costly errors.

🎯 Replace assumptions with conversations. Your relationships - at work and in life - will thank you for it. 🙂