Edition 51 - Positive Intent

Hey folks,

It's been a while. Sorry to have left you hanging, but my diary and time became short, and my routine changed. Sometimes, we don't get the time to do the things we love for the sake of what we have to do, but this topic sparked discussion yesterday with some smart folks I was talking with.

That conversation turned into a small post on LinkedIn, and then the next thing Linkedin was telling me, that it was too long for a post! Whoops, I got carried away, and I wanted to share it with you today.

Fundamentally, today's post concerns whether you think people are inherently good and well-intentioned or something else. Do you think people want to do their best and want to achieve something or not so much?

How you think about people and how you communicate with them will shape how many of them feel about themselves and how many of them think of you, for that matter.

Ultimately, these things impact what they can achieve and their overall happiness.

I know it sounds happy clappy but I presume positive intent and that people are inherently good and want to do their best.

Let's double-click. 👇👇👇

Positive? Intent?

Positive intent: It’s something I say all the time and something that I deeply believe in.

At the beginning of sessions with my team, it almost becomes shorthand to defuse a situation and remind people that most people have the right intentions; "Hey folks, remember positive intent".

Presuming positive intent when interacting with others can significantly alter your perspective, reactions, and relationship dynamics, often for the better.

Here are some key differences that presuming positive intent has made for me:

1. Improved Communication: By assuming that others mean well, misunderstandings can be approached with curiosity rather than defensiveness. This openness can lead to more transparent, more effective communication.

2. Reduced Conflict: Presuming positive intent helps give others the benefit of the doubt, which can prevent unnecessary conflicts. When you assume that a questionable action or statement was not meant to harm you, it's easier to address issues calmly and constructively.

3. Increased Empathy: This mindset encourages you to consider the other person's perspective and circumstances, fostering empathy. Understanding that people's actions often have more to do with their own experiences than with you personally can deepen your compassion for others.

4. Strengthened Relationships: When people feel that you assume they have good intentions, trust grows. Trust is foundational for strong, healthy relationships, whether personal or professional.

5. Enhanced Personal Well-being: Constant suspicion or assuming the worst in others can be draining. Presuming positive intent can reduce stress and promote a more optimistic outlook, contributing to overall happiness and satisfaction.

6. Better Conflict Resolution: In situations where tensions do rise, starting from a place of presumed positive intent makes navigating to a resolution that satisfies all parties easier. Solutions are more readily found when you believe the other person aims for a positive outcome.

7. Personal Growth: This approach can challenge you to question your automatic assumptions and biases, leading to personal growth. It can push you to develop patience, understanding, and a more nuanced view of human behaviour.

8. Positive Work Environment: In a professional context, presuming positive intent can lead to a more collaborative and supportive work culture. It encourages a focus on solutions rather than blame, fostering innovation and teamwork.

Positive intent...until proven otherwise.

It's crucial to balance this approach with being rational, presuming positive intent until proven otherwise. Presuming positive intent does not mean ignoring red flags or tolerating unacceptable behaviour. It's about approaching interactions with an open mind, believing that people inherently want to do the right thing while protecting your business when negative intent occurs.

I've experienced negative intent many times. From people in corporate businesses when I worked in one. From people who you consider friends when the veil drops.

It is essential when these situations occur, when they put themselves and their goals above the teams, or when people use others like ladders to their successes, not to let their negativity change your positive presumptions about others.

I've experienced people, publications, and businesses having negative intent about me personally or our business. It's not fun, but I won't allow that to compromise my belief system; I believe in people because, ultimately, when you strip everything back, then every business is a people business.

Hope you enjoyed it.

See you soon.

David