Assume Positive Intent
Theme: Assume Positive Intent
Verse: A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2)
Running is a great activity to bring people together irrespective of each person’s fitness level. In any given running group (including ours) you will find a person training for a marathon, others readying for the next 5K and others that are happy to participate without training for any race whatsoever. But that difference in experience level does not preclude them from being a support group for each other.
Not all our social groups are nearly as supportive. We have become a very polarized society and that is working to our detriment. How do we fix that? Great question. Here’s an idea I’m borrowing from my Uncle Bob that I learned from his son, my cousin, Eric.
A few years ago, Eric shared life lessons he learned from his father, and this is one that has stuck with me. He said one of his dad’s philosophies is when a person does something you should “Assume Positive Intent, (until proven otherwise).”
What does that mean? Well, once you stop blocking the validity of a person’s point of view just because of certain pre-conditions you will find that most people are acting in good faith. That is when they say something, do something, answer questions etc. they are not trying to offend or hurt someone.
So how do we apply this philosophy?
By not blocking them we can listen to others with an open mind with the intent to UNDERSTAND what the person is saying. This is easier said than done. This is in complete contrast to our normal process of listening with the intent on how to respond. There is a big difference.
There is plenty of Biblical guidance on this as well. James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 12:15 are but a few verses to check out.
Just as Rome was not built in a day, this will NOT be an immediate transformation. But give it a try. Assume Positive Intent in others and Seek to First to Understand (borrowed from Steven Covey). These two practices will go a long way to making our communities more cohesive just like most running groups I have ever experienced.
Have a GREAT Week!