How to Rethink What You Think You Are Thinking
Photo by Brett Sayles from PexelsWow. That’s an awkward title for a blog post. Here’s why it matters.
As a leadership coach, I help leaders improve their ability to manage difficult people and situations. One key for accomplishing that goal is to help these leaders manage themselves better while also managing difficult people and situations. As they get better at managing themselves, the other challenges tend to improve as well.
One foundational practice for managing ourselves better is to double-check our assumptions. That's why I like to share the concept of "learned optimism" with leaders - to help them double-check their assumptions. Another model that helps double-check assumptions is the "ladder of inference."
To understand the "ladder of inference" and why it is important, check out the video below:
Notice how powerful assumptions are. That's why I assign "belief buster" or "assumption assassin" activities to my clients.
When we don’t double-check our assumptions, we are at risk of a common thinking fallacy: confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is a threat because it screens out any information that doesn't already conform to our current thoughts. It creates blind spots. It prevents growth and positive change.
For Reflection
Recall some faulty assumptions you had in the past. How did they impact you?
How did bias confirmation play a role in that?
How would using the ladder of inference help prevent that from happening in the future?