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The assumptions running your leadership are often the ones you have not questioned, and they shape more than you realise. Picture this: I am driving with my daughter in the back seat, and Justin is sitting next to her. We are on our way to the airport, and everything seems to be going smoothly, until I make a wrong turn.
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Suddenly, instead of heading straight to our destination, we are winding through the city streets, adding time to our journey. As we are stopped at a red light, I glance out the window and see a school sign that reads, “Our Lady of Mount Camel.” Puzzled, I turned to Justin and said, “Mount Camel? That is a new one. I have not heard of it in Australia.” Justin, equally perplexed, agrees. “Yeah, that is odd,” he replies, and Bonnie joins in. We all start chuckling, imagining a school dedicated to camels. As the light turns green, and we start moving again, Justin does a double-take and says, “Wait, it is not Camel. It is Carmel.” By this time, the school is behind us, and I cannot go back to double-check. But I was certain that the sign said “Camel.” I read it. Justin read it. How could we both have been mistaken? The same assumptions were running in both of us. So what did we do? We turned to Google for answers. Within seconds, Justin found that the school was indeed called “Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” not Camel. Somehow, I had misread it, and my conviction was so strong that I influenced Justin to see it the same way. That is how assumptions work. They do not ask for permission.
Why This Matters Beyond the StoryNow, here is why this matters to your leadership. This small, seemingly insignificant moment is a powerful illustration of how our perceptions can be deeply influenced by bias, and how those biases can ripple out to impact others. Perhaps I had animals or camels on my mind. Who knows? As leaders, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to make quick decisions. Our brains, wired for efficiency, often fill in gaps based on what we think we know. However, these snap judgments, while sometimes useful, can be misleading if they are not based on solid evidence.
Where Assumptions Show Up in LeadershipThink about it: how often do you make decisions based on assumptions rather than facts? Perhaps you assume you know what your clients want because it is what they have asked for in the past. Or you are convinced that a certain strategy will work because it did once before. Maybe you are so certain about a particular direction that you do not even consider alternative options. But what if the landscape has shifted? In leadership, assumptions can lead you off your path. You might overlook critical information, dismiss a valuable opportunity, or steer your decisions in a direction that does not serve your goals. The lesson here is not to avoid snap judgments alone but to actively question your perceptions. When you are sure you have something figured out, whether it is a client’s needs, a strategy, or a market trend, take a moment to step back and verify it. Are you seeing things as they are, or are you letting assumptions cloud your judgment?
The Habit That Changes the PatternThis is where the power of evidence, feedback, and external perspectives comes into play. Do not rely on what you think you know. Or on someone else’s certainty. Gather evidence, seek out diverse perspectives, and be open to the possibility that you might need to adjust your course. You might discover that what you initially thought was “Camel” is “Carmel,” a subtle but significant difference that can change the direction of your leadership. In the end, this is not about avoiding missteps. It is about expanding your capacity. By fostering a habit of questioning your assumptions and seeking clarity, you set yourself up to make more informed, grounded decisions that move your leadership forward. So, the next time you find yourself convinced you have something figured out, whether it is a new direction, a client’s request, or even your long-term strategy, pause and take a closer look. You might uncover Mount Carmel, where you were expecting Mount Camel, a more accurate path that leads you exactly where you want to go. The assumptions were the detour. The questioning is what corrects the course.
If your assumptions have been running unchecked and the decisions are not landing where you expected, book a 15-minute Strategy Call and explore what shifts when you question what you think you see.
To your brilliance, Tanya Cross Industry Leader Coach & The Coaches’ Coach BAppSoSc (Counselling) |
