ASS-U, Me?

“Don’t make an ass of you and me.”

Wait, what?

Yes, you read that right.

What I really mean is this: don’t assume. I picked up that phrase during a workshop, and it stuck with me because it’s painfully true. When we assume, we often end up doing a disservice to both ourselves and others. Assumptions usually creep in when our thinking is clouded by personal judgments, biases, or simply by how things have 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 been done.

And when assumptions take over, misunderstandings and miscommunication aren’t far behind especially when we don’t pause to clarify.

There are always two sides to a story. Each perspective tells a different version, and more often than not, what we see is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath someone’s actions, words, or decisions, there may be a deeper context we’re unaware of. It may not always justify the outcome, but when there’s doubt, clarification beats assumption every time.

This shows up frequently in the friction between management and employees, as well as between employers and interview candidates or applicants, where both sides feel dissatisfied with certain policies or decisions. Sometimes, progress begins simply by pausing and making the effort to understand the other side of the coin.