To grow, challenge your assumptions

Many leaders and professionals who are successfully growing their careers and businesses have one thing in common: an open mind and a willingness to challenge assumptions – especially their own.

Being able to question what you see – from different viewpoints, based on evidence rather than beliefs – is a real superpower. Helping people challenge their assumptions is one of the main tasks in my work as a coach, and it can be truly transformational. In this post I explain how assumptions can get in the way and what you can do to overcome them.

The danger of running on autopilot

As humans we are creatures of habit. We form habits, and then they form us. As a result, we have a tendency to run on autopilot. Our brains have evolved this way as an energy-saving measure. We automate thoughts and actions to free up capacity for other things. This is useful, for example, so we don’t have to think about pressing the clutch every time we change gears.

But habits can also be powerful as obstacles, especially when we are no longer aware of what we do, or why we do it. We can get stuck in a rut and assume there are no other options in our lives or careers. We can end up assuming that the obstacles are real. Often, however, after some probing many of these assumptions turn out to be wrong. Different choices and opportunities do exist – they just wasn’t obvious at first, because we were still running on autopilot.

So, ask yourself – what obstacles are getting in the way of your goals? Are they real? What evidence do you have for this belief? What other options are there? Keep probing and exploring until you hit on a new path, then look at possible actions you could take. If you hit further obstacles, repeat the process by challenging assumptions and digging for other options. You could even play this as a game. If you don’t work with a coach, pair up with someone you trust and apply the line of questioning to each other. You will be surprised by what you find.

Be explicit and intentional – ask for it!

Some people I work with want to progress within their own organisations but somehow find themselves stuck – despite being high performers. They clearly deliver good work, have the metrics and feedback to prove it, and yet they are not being offered the promotion or new interesting role that they crave.

It’s amazing how often, after some probing, it transpires that they had never explicitly asked for what they wanted. They somehow assumed that hard work and results should speak for themselves – and that therefore someone should notice and give them what they want. But if you’ve never clearly told anyone what your aspirations are, how would they know? They might – equally wrongly – assume that you’re happy to stay in your current role because you’re good at it and seem to enjoy it.

So, be explicit and intentional about everything you do – with yourself, and with others.

As a leader you don’t need all the answers

All humans default to automatic behaviours, especially in periods of high stress. For example, as a leader you may sometimes assume that you need to show strength and know all the answers. Or that you know what the problem is. Or the solution. And so on.

If you find that you’ve taken on too much, or are not getting the results you want, take a step back and challenge your assumptions. Be curious. Involve your team. Be their coach: lead with questions, not answers. Trusting your team, letting them help you find the answers is empowering – for you and, more importantly, for them. It will increase mutual trust and strengthen the team. It will increase your authority, not diminish it. And it will prevent you from becoming a decision bottleneck or, worse, a single point of failure.

Start by assuming you’re wrong

Whatever your goal, begin with questioning your assumptions. Assume you're wrong. Look for evidence, not beliefs. Look for different viewpoints. Find hidden habits or thought patterns that may be holding you back. Look for opportunities and different ways of approaching the problem. Ask a trusted partner who can challenge and support you in your thinking and actions. This can be a colleague, a friend – or a professional coach.

If you feel your assumptions might be holding you back, let's have a chat. Check out my website, read the testimonials and schedule a free initial consultation.

Keep growing!