Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar

November 13, 2017 | 0 Comments

Fundamental #27 — Assume Positive Intent

For the better part of two years, our Federation team has been making a deliberate effort to define what drives our work and how we do it. The four core values of Community, Inclusivity, Learning, and Integrity rose to the top. The next step was to identify a list of fundamentals: actionable, daily core behaviors that bring our core values to life and define our culture. Each week, we make a point to focus on practicing a different fundamental, and I kick off that effort by sharing my thoughts on each one at the beginning of each week. Here are my thoughts for our twenty-seventh week:


ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT — Work from the assumption that people are good, fair, and honest, and that the intent behind their actions is positive. Set aside your own judgments and preconceived notions. Give people the benefit of the doubt.

This week’s Fundamental is easier said than done. We are wired to string limited facts into a story, usually a story in which we take things personally.  Especially, when we are stressed or upset, it seems obvious that the other person acted unfairly towards us. 

Often, stepping back from the situation gives us space to reconsider whether a well-intentioned misunderstanding might explain the other’s actions. Even when the other person did in fact have some motivations that were not well-intentioned, approaching them as if they had been well intentioned is the most effective way to move forward. This Fundamental is necessary to achieve the  “Practice Blameless Problem Solving” Fundamental.  

I’m interested in other’s views on how to embody this important and challenging Fundamental. 

See here for Shep’s comments on all the fundamentals so far.

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