Hey Full Potential Zoners,
The danger isn’t what happened— it’s what we assumed about it.
But first, check out this amazing opportunity from today’s sponsor…👇
think-cell is the productivity suite that automates presentation creation in PowerPoint, freeing up your team's time for analysis and decision-making.
Automate chart creation and link slides directly to Excel data for instant, error-free reports.
Access all PowerPoint assets centrally to build automated, data-driven dashboards and reports.
Stay brand-compliant by reusing your best work in your corporate theme.
Maximize your organization's full potential by eliminating manual work and generating reports faster and with 100% accuracy.
Use my sheet to see how to catch yourself before assumptions cost trust.
Check the facts before you move.
Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:
‘The Danger of Assumptions - Stop Assuming, Start Understanding'.
Let’s dive in!
Download This PDF + my Top 90+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email
4 Work Moments Where Assumptions Break Trust
1. You notice a co-worker is quiet during meetings
Scenario: Someone rarely speaks up during team calls.
Common assumption: They aren’t interested or don’t have anything to add.
Watch for patterns, not just moments:
Are they always quiet or just on certain topics?
Reach out privately with care:
“I noticed you’ve been quiet in our meetings. Is there anything you’d like to share or would feel more comfortable sending in writing?”
Create low-pressure options:
Ask if they’d like to contribute before or after the meeting instead of on the spot.
Some people need space to process. By asking instead of assuming, you show respect without pushing.
2. A teammate misses a deadline
Scenario: A task is late and it's affecting your work.
Common assumption: They’re being careless or unreliable.
Lead with curiosity:
“Hey, just checking in—wanted to see if everything’s okay with the project. Is there anything holding it up?”
Resist retelling the story to others:
Don’t vent to the group before giving them a chance to explain.
Look at the bigger picture:
Is this a one-time slip or a repeated pattern?
You avoid gossip and get the real story. Most delays aren’t laziness—they’re usually confusion, overwhelm, or missed communication.
3. A high-visibility task is given to someone else
Scenario: You weren’t chosen to lead a big project.
Common assumption:
You’re being overlooked or undervalued.
Pause before reacting:
“What story am I telling myself right now?”
Ask for insight, not approval:
“I’d love to be considered next time. What skills should I focus on to get there?”
Find the gap you can fill next time:
Maybe it was about timing, experience, or something simple like availability.
Instead of closing off, you open a growth path—and show initiative without sounding defensive.
4. A co-worker sends a short or blunt message
Scenario: A message reads cold, rushed, or rude.
Common assumption:
They’re upset or annoyed with you.
Don’t fill in the tone:
Assume efficiency, not attitude.
Respond with calm clarity:
“Thanks for sending that over. Just confirming I’ve got the right version now.”
If needed, check in 1:1:
“Wanted to make sure we’re all good—I might’ve read too much into a quick message.”
Most tone misunderstandings are in our heads. A calm follow-up can reset the vibe and prevent weeks of silent tension.
Here's how you can make it real today:
Step 1: Spot the loop
Think about a moment this week when your brain filled in the blanks.
Pick the moment where you assumed something.
That’s your loop to interrupt today.
Step 2: Set your stop point
Choose one part of your day when you’ll pause on autopilot:
Right after your first meeting
Before answering a message
During a break or reset moment
Set a reminder that says:
Pause the story—check the facts
Step 3: Make the shift visible
Take one clear step that swaps guessing for asking.
Here are some you can try:
Ask: “Can you tell me more about what happened?”
Say: “I noticed this—I didn’t want to assume, so I wanted to ask.”
Write down the facts you know vs. what you’re assuming.
Choose to respond later instead of reacting now.
Keep it short, clear, and calm.
Step 4: Notice what shifted
After you act, take a minute to ask:
Did I feel less tense or more clear?
Did the story I told myself match reality?
Did the other person respond differently than I expected?
Tiny moves like this change how you lead, decide, and connect.
Step 5: Write one line to close the day
Before your day ends, write one line:
“I paused the loop today by ________.”
or“Next time I assume too quickly, I’ll ________.”
This is how you start understanding, not just reacting.
AI Prompt: “Act as a clarity coach. Help me break an assumption loop and understand the situation with calm and clear thinking. Use the details below to guide me:
Moment I Want to Work On: [Describe the moment where I assumed something, e.g., “A co-worker didn’t reply to my message,” or “A short comment felt sharp.”]
What I Thought at First: [Write the story I told myself, e.g., “They’re upset with me.”]
What I Actually Know: [List the facts only, e.g., “The message was short,” or “They haven’t answered yet.”]
What I Want Instead: [Describe the goal, e.g., “Respond with calm,” or “Ask instead of assuming.”]
Provide:
A simple 4-step plan I can use today to shift from guessing to understanding.
A few short phrases I can say or send that show clarity, not judgment.
A quick reflection question I can use later to notice what changed.
A calm, people-first reminder I can repeat to myself during the day.
The plan should be simple, practical, and focused on helping me pause, check the facts, and use understanding instead of assumptions.”
You’ll build your product—live.
And you’ll leave with something real you can sell the same day.
And earn from over and over and over again.
Assumptions don’t just change what we think—they change what we do.
When we assume, we move fast but often move wrong.
One small guess can grow into resentment, silence, or distance.
Clarity only happens when we slow down and ask.
Understanding is built. It doesn’t just happen.
Today is your reminder that facts deserve a little more time.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
This Week’s Growth Recommendations
Book To Read:
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman (see it here)
TED Talk to Watch:
“How to overcome our biases?" by Verna Myers (see it here)
📑 Today’s PDF
Download today’s PDF by Clicking Here
📑 Justin’s Top 90+ Cheat Sheets
Download All 90+ PDFs by Clicking Here
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe and get my free eBook Click Here
Want to Sponsor this newsletter or a LinkedIn post? Click Here