So, What Are Your Assumptions?

 

By: Duke Rohe  drohe@att.net

Overview: So much of communication is built on assumption. Assumptions can be efficient means of communicating what is already obvious. The problem comes when the background obviousness is not close enough for clarity between sender and responder on the same wavelength. 

Purpose:

  • Expand an understanding around what assumptions do for or to us.
  • Gain the power of a Top 10 understanding on a topic.
  • ‘Dialogue’ to better understand what ‘we’ understand about assumptions.

Participants: Great team exercise for a new or established team…Allow a minimum of 30 minutes or up to an hour to harvest its greatest value.

Materials: 2-sided handouts of Ten Assumptions, handout of Assumption Snip-its

Time: 30 minutes

Procedure:

  1. Pull the team together and frame the exercise with a summary of the good, the bad and the ugly about assumptions.  Use the Snip-its piece on assumptions as a resource.  Internalize it, then rephrase from your own words.
  2. State that this is a timed exercise (give time), so spontaneous thinking is important.
  3. Handout the two-sided copy of “Ten Assumptions”, face-up with the blank 1 through 10 side.
  4. Have them form into teams of three, and instruct them that they are going to create a top 10 list around Assumptions.  For the first 5 minutes they will collectively share their collective wit on assumptions.  What’s good about them, what’s bad about them, when they are helpful, what are cause and effects, etc.
  5. Next, tell them they have 10 minutes to come up with as many phrases around Assumptions as possible.  Select a scribe then pop those jewels out as quickly as possible.  If you are having trouble getting started, turn the sheet over, read the first one and see if that gets your motor rolling.  The more you create, the more you have to choose from.
  6. Call out the five-minute, two and one minute mark.
  7. Have them share their ‘bests’ around Assumptions.  At the end of the session, collect and type them up with the title “What We Collectively Know About Assumptions”.  You may want to post-it for them to reference.
  8. Have them turnover their 10 tips sheet, ask them take one minute and pick one that pops out and share it.  You can also handout the Snip-it handout.  Facilitate by asking ‘Why it has meaning’ to them.  Probe by inquiring one level deeper from of what they shared.  Keep the session going as long as it has energy.
  9. Debrief:  Do a Hot Wash-up:  a) Ask them to write one thing they liked about the exercise, b) one piece of insight they want to keep and c) one thing that would have made it better.
  10. Go around quickly sharing the likes, insights and betters.  Encourage them to reflect on the handouts in their communications at work and at home.

Debrief: Ask each participant to share one observation about assumptions.