The Sharpness of Hanlon’s Razor

Week 117: The Sharpness of Hanlon’s Razor

Ever felt frustrated at work because you think a colleague is deliberately trying to make your life harder? Maybe a teammate didn’t respond to an urgent email, a manager failed to recognize your contribution, or another department didn’t deliver as expected. The natural tendency is to assume bad intent: They don’t care. They’re being difficult. They’re out to get me.

But what if that’s not the case?

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Enter Hanlon’s Razor, a simple mental model that says:

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

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In simpler terms, most workplace frustrations are not caused by ill intent but by miscommunication, forgetfulness, lack of information, or just human error. Recognizing this can make you a better colleague, leader, and professional.

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How Hanlon’s Razor Plays Out at Work

1. The “Ignored” Email

You sent an important email, and your manager or colleague hasn’t replied. Instead of assuming they’re disregarding you, consider:

·????? Are they overwhelmed with other priorities?

·????? Did they miss it in their inbox?

·????? Do they trust you to handle it without their input?

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What to do: Before jumping to conclusions, send a polite follow-up.

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2. The "Credit Stealer"

You suggested an idea in a meeting, and later your colleague presents it as their own. You might think: They’re trying to take all the credit! They don’t respect my contributions!

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Can you pause and consider:

·????? Did they genuinely forget where the idea came from?

·????? Did they assume it was a team effort and not an individual contribution?

·????? Are they just poor at giving credit rather than being malicious?

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What to do: Instead of confrontation, try: “Glad you liked my idea from last week’s discussion! Let’s refine it further together.”

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3. The “Difficult” Colleague

A team member seems uncooperative. Are they really sabotaging the project, or are they

·????? Under stress from personal/work pressures?

·????? Lacking clarity on expectations?

·????? Struggling with workload?

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What to do: A quick, open conversation can often clear things up.

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How to Apply Hanlon’s Razor at Work

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·????? Pause Before Reacting: Before assuming bad intent, ask, Is there a simpler explanation?

·????? Communicate Openly: Instead of assuming, clarify. A simple “Hey, I noticed this—was there a misunderstanding?” can prevent conflicts.

·????? Assume Good Intent: Most people are trying their best. Give the benefit of the doubt and work towards solutions, not resentment.

·????? Create a Culture of Transparency: Encourage a workplace where mistakes are acknowledged, feedback is direct, and assumptions are minimized.

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At the end of the day, the workplace is made up of imperfect humans. The more we apply Hanlon’s Razor, the more productive, positive, and collaborative our work environments become.

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What do you think? Have you seen Hanlon’s Razor at play in your office? Drop your thoughts!

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