Can One Shift in Perspective Transform Your Relationships?

Why didn’t your colleague reply to your email? Why did your friend seem distant in conversation? Have you ever stopped to wonder why someone acted a certain way?

Perhaps a colleague didn’t respond to your email, or a friend seemed distant during a conversation. Our first instinct is often to jump to conclusions—“They don’t value my time” or “They’re ignoring me.” But what if we considered another possibility?

What if their actions were motivated by positive intentions, even if their behavior seemed frustrating?

This shift in perspective is the foundation of Positive Intention, an approach that challenges us to see the good behind others’ actions—even when it’s not immediately obvious. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s a transformative approach rooted in psychology and neuroscience.

The Science Behind Positive Intention

• Carl Rogers, a pioneer of humanistic psychology, emphasized empathy and authenticity as keys to understanding others. He believed that when we approach people with unconditional positive regard, we create space for real connection and growth.
• Abraham Maslow, known for his hierarchy of needs, taught us that most human behavior is driven by unmet needs like safety or belonging. Recognizing this helps us see beyond surface-level actions.
• Neuroscience confirms this wisdom: Assuming good intentions reduces stress by calming the brain’s fear response (amygdala) and strengthening empathy circuits in the prefrontal cortex.

Why Positive Intention Works

1. It Improves Communication Instead of reacting defensively to criticism or misunderstandings; positive intention encourages curiosity. Try this: The next time someone’s words upset you, pause and ask, “What do you mean by that?” or “Can you tell me more about your perspective?”
2. It Strengthens Relationships When we assume people mean well, we build bridges of trust rather than walls of judgment. Relationships thrive in a climate of mutual respect and understanding.
3. It Reduces Stress Releasing negative assumptions about others lightens our emotional load. Over time, this mindset fosters calm and resilience.

Practical Steps to Start Today

1. Pause and Reflect: The next time someone’s behavior frustrates you, take a breath and ask, “What might they be experiencing right now?”
2. Reframe Judgments: Replace thoughts like “They don’t care” with “Maybe they’re overwhelmed.”
3. Practice Empathy: Imagine how you’d feel in their shoes. This simple act shifts your perspective from criticism to compassion.

What If Everyone Practiced Positive Intention?

Imagine teams where conflicts are addressed with curiosity, not blame. Or families where misunderstandings lead to connection, not tension.

?? As Carl Rogers said, “When I accept others as they are, they change in ways I could never have imagined.”

Dive Deeper

?? Discover how Positive Intention can help you lead with empathy, reduce stress, and create a culture of trust—at work and beyond. Read the full article!

?? Positive Intention: An Invitation to Reinvent Our Interactions

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