When you are about to have a delicate conversation, whether it is with a colleague, a customer or your superior, it is important that you become aware of your assumptions.

Your assumptions are the ideas and beliefs you hold about yourself and others, as well as the terrain and playing field you operate in.

Before you assume, check! Instead of trying to read their mind or come to conclusions, ask yourself:

      •What is the story in my head? Because it might not be the same from this person’s perspective.

      •What’s driving me in this conversation? You may be guided by beliefs that are outdated, inaccurate, left over from previous experiences, or simply wrong. In this case, your assumptions might be betraying you, rather than supporting you and maybecome self-fulfilling prophecies

Make sure your assumptions are respectful by acknowledging that the other person may think or see situations differently than you and by giving them the chance to explain themselves.

By giving them the benefit of the doubt and by challenging your assumptions of who they are and what they want from the conversationyoucan avoid confrontation and ensure your voice is heard.