Assuming Good Intent: A Counter-Cultural Approach to Resilience
Dr. Tom offers some timely advice from both ancient and modern sources of wisdom.
2 Replies to “Assuming Good Intent: A Counter-Cultural Approach to Resilience”
Assuming good intent as a practice! So simple, yet so hard for me at times. I like the idea of starting there, not saying anything or responding, but just focusing on the good intent, a helpful place for me to start. Years and years of what I’ll call my own practices of judgment—have laid down pathways and habits of mind that sometimes make this helpful practice something I have to relearn. Next step after a week of assuming good intent I think must be asking, curiosity, listening. I’d like to jump there, but after reflecting on the message this week, I’ll spend more time focusing on my own practice of assuming good intent.
Thanks Laura. I liked the way you scooped up “assuming good intent” and made it a moment in the communication process. I am an extrovert, and as such, am prone to “using my words” more than is necessary. The getting quiet part, and listening with curiosity is something for me to take to heart. I have had the privilege of being in conversations with you, so I can see that you practice what you preach! Or in this case you practice what you don’t preach, you practice good curiosity from a listening posture. Makes your comments worth listening to
Assuming good intent as a practice! So simple, yet so hard for me at times. I like the idea of starting there, not saying anything or responding, but just focusing on the good intent, a helpful place for me to start. Years and years of what I’ll call my own practices of judgment—have laid down pathways and habits of mind that sometimes make this helpful practice something I have to relearn. Next step after a week of assuming good intent I think must be asking, curiosity, listening. I’d like to jump there, but after reflecting on the message this week, I’ll spend more time focusing on my own practice of assuming good intent.
Thanks Laura. I liked the way you scooped up “assuming good intent” and made it a moment in the communication process. I am an extrovert, and as such, am prone to “using my words” more than is necessary. The getting quiet part, and listening with curiosity is something for me to take to heart. I have had the privilege of being in conversations with you, so I can see that you practice what you preach! Or in this case you practice what you don’t preach, you practice good curiosity from a listening posture. Makes your comments worth listening to