Q & A Table of Contents
Can There Be Mistaken Assumptions
From: Pavee in California
Question: I would like to get some critical wise and mistaken assumptions
about conflict and negotiation. I'm a graduate student taking a course in
"Conflict Management". I'm going to give a presentation on the topics that I
mentioned above and I would love to get your input. Of course, I already did
research on the topic but I would like to hear from the expert perspective
and make sure that I didn't leave out any important point.
Response: Dear Pavee,
All assumptions are wise, as long as you remember that "When you assume, you
risk making an ASS of U and ME."
With that simple bit of wisdom in mind, you can utilize assumptions to
develop your strategy. Asking questions to check the accuracy of those
assumptions is the best way to derive the information you need to move the
decision-making process forward.
Because you know ahead of time that an assumption may be flawed, the cost of
dumping it once you learn it is inaccurate is very slight. And, if it turns
out that the assumption was accurate, that buttresses your capacity to
contribute to a wise resolution of the issue(s) to which it relates.
Good luck with your presentation,
Steve
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