How To Challenge Your Assumptions

When we challenge our assumptions, a veil lifts and new possibilities open up. We shatter misconceptions that have been weighing us down. We leave behind “knowing syndrome” and embrace “growing syndrome." We see the world differently, more clearly, more vibrantly. The power of truth unfolds before our eyes.

?Our assumptions can derail dreams, stop progress in its tracks, self-imposed limits, create self-fulfilling prophecies, distort motives and harm relationships, kill creativity, and lead us down unwanted paths. Some assumptions we make with great awareness, many are on autopilot running our lives and guiding our decisions like a subconscious consigliere.

1) REMEMBER ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS

Assumptions are often based on things that may or may not be true - think of all the stakeholders involved and how they’d view your assumptions.?

·???????Would the product supply team agree that you will have enough capacity??

·???????Would the researchers agree they can deliver the innovation on time??

·???????Would the finance person agree that your investment will generate acceptable returns?

2) FORCE A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

We can fall into a pattern of operating within the same set of assumptions over and over because we continually see things from the same perspective. Break the stasis and bring in fresh viewpoints. Bring outsiders into a brainstorming session. Bring back people who were part of better, winning days and talk to them about what drove success at that time. Conduct a session where you view the world through a competitor's eyes and model their responses to your moves. Whatever the source, create some tension with the status quo.

3) WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE

Words of absolutism can sneak into our assumptions, turning accurate statements into over-generalizations. Stop and pause when you use words and phrases like “never," “always," “all of," and “none of." Take time to really qualify your qualifiers.

4) THINK LIKE A SCIENCE TEACHER

Assumptions are essentially hypotheses. In the world of science, hypotheses are either accepted or refuted with proof. Call out assumptions when you hear them and raise awareness. Then ask yourself if the assumption on the table has been actually proven, and if so, does it still hold true?

5) QUESTION YOUR QUESTIONS

As a leader, you can closely examine the types of questions you ask the team, ensuring you have a helpful dose of assumption challenging questions in the mix. Of course, you shouldn’t pester the team with an unending stream this is about reexamining the portfolio of leadership questions you ask. Perhaps fewer information requests or status update questions and more assumption challenging questions are in order.

6) EXPAND TIME

Many assumptions are based on past history – don’t get stuck there. Regarding the past, yes, but don’t disregard what may have changed.?That said, it’s also important to not get stuck in the now and to view your assumptions through the lens of how things might be in the future. How might industry trends change or negate your assumptions? Finally, the idea of expanding time also means literally expanding the amount of time you allot for the process of challenging assumptions. We often make assumptions because it’s easier and quicker. For certain, challenging assumptions can be difficult and time-consuming, but you have to do it – too much is riding on getting it right.

7) ASK WHY

Assumptions can quickly have gaping holes exposed when you simply ask why - “Why do you believe that assumption is true?” The rationale or root cause behind the assumption might rapidly be revealed as weak at best.

8) DON’T LET DATA NUMB YOU

From time to time I will say to my team, “Use data to go from ‘I think’ to ‘I know. But don’t let ‘I know’ get in the way of ‘I think’.”?While data should certainly be used to inform our decisions, sometimes we can rely on it at the expense of using our gut or in lieu of challenging the assumptions behind the data.?Keep a balance.

9) DOUBLE CLICK ON PAIN POINT ASSUMPTIONS

Not all assumptions are created equal.?Identify the one or two most critical assumptions you are making and spend extra time challenging them.

3 ways you can take action on this article:

1)????Comment on it and get the conversation going

2)???Share this article to help others and build your own credibility

3)???Get my free newsletter by clicking here for more startup ideas and advice

4) Follow SCOTT MAUTZ for more leadership articles