We all make assumptions. But when we aren't aware of our own underlying assumptions, they can wreak havoc on our decision making. Left unexamined, assumptions become blindspots that lead to foolish choices and missed opportunities. Bringing your hidden assumptions to light is the only way to ensure they aren't negatively influencing your judgment. This in-depth guide will reveal what assumptions are, how they distort your thinking without you realizing it, and how to identify and overcome them for better decision making.

What Are Assumptions?

Assumptions are beliefs we hold to be true without actual proof. They are unconscious explanations, expectations or characterizations we make about the world. Our brains rely on assumptions to quickly interpret situations so we can respond. But because we aren't actively thinking about our assumptions, we often fail to notice when they are leading us astray.

How Assumptions Undermine Your Judgment

Assumptions cause you to misinterpret situations, information and people. They lead you to:

• Misjudge opportunities and risks

• Misread others' motivations and abilities

• Select the wrong goals or strategies

• Fail to anticipate obstacles and challenges

When you make decisions based on flawed underlying assumptions, disaster often ensues. Hidden assumptions are like termites in the walls - silently eating away at the foundation of your choices until everything comes crashing down.

Examples of Damaging Hidden Assumptions

To better understand assumptions and how they distort thinking, let's look at some common examples:

About Circumstances

You assume growing tension between colleagues is just a passing phase. But it erupts into a staffing crisis that harms morale and productivity.

About People

You assume a new hire is shy and inexperienced because she is soft-spoken and young. But she has incredible relevant experience and her demure nature masks a fiery determination.

About Timelines

You assume completing an upgrade will take just a few weeks. But unforeseen compatibility issues drag it out for six months, forcing delays.

About Resources

You assume budget increases will continue each year. But an economic downturn slashes funding by 30%, leaving initiatives underfunded.

In each case, the underlying assumption seemed reasonable on the surface. But by not questioning it, significant risks were overlooked leading to catastrophe once reality diverged from expectations.

How to Root Out Your Hidden Assumptions

Assumptions dwelling below your awareness quietly distort your thinking. To eliminate this threat, you must intentionally dig them up and scrutinize them. Here are powerful strategies to uncover your hidden assumptions:

Ask "What am I taking for granted?"

Challenge your interpretation of situations by questioning what baseline beliefs you are operating from. What expectations are coloring your viewpoint?

Adopt an outsider's perspective

Think like someone unfamiliar with the players and history involved to notice assumptions you take for granted based on experience.

Compete with your own reasoning

Argue against your conclusions and strategy as if you were debating a challenger to uncover invalid assumptions.

Analyze past forecasting errors

Review previous failed plans and identify the flawed assumptions that caused the miscues.

Experiment and test

Prototype and gather real world feedback to reveal assumptions that differ from reality.

Bringing assumptions to the surface takes effort. But each time hidden assumptions are exposed to scrutiny, your thinking grows clearer and decisions grow stronger.

Now Test Your Assumptions

Once you have dragged assumptions into the light, actively question them:

• Is this assumption actually valid and evidence-based?

• How much certainty do I have regarding this belief?

• What if the opposite were true?

• What other perspectives or possibilities am I ignoring?

This process of challenging your own assumptions is intensely uncomfortable. But rejecting faulty assumptions that don't hold up to scrutiny will improve your judgment immensely.

Replace With Carefully Constructed Hypotheses

Don't leave gaps or uncertainties in your reasoning once you've displaced faulty assumptions. Fill them by forming detailed hypotheses that can be tested and either validated or invalidated.

Clearly spell out your expectations and the metrics you will use to measure results. Then capture data to see if reality matches your hypotheses. Be prepared to pivot if real world evidence disproves your working theories.

Learn to Thrive Despite Uncertainty

Rejecting assumptions means fewer preconceived notions to rely upon. You will need to grow comfortable making decisions amidst uncertainty. Focus on using available data and logical reasoning to assess all options thoroughly.

While operating without assumptions may seem precarious at first, you will start making far better choices when no longer led astray by flawed unconscious beliefs.

Conclusion

Left unidentified, hidden assumptions silently undermine your judgment. By intentionally bringing assumptions to light, rigorously testing them and replacing them with evidence-based hypotheses, you can eliminate this threat. It takes courage and effort to question your own unconscious beliefs. But doing so will empower you to make the very best decisions at every turn.