Why? Because great cultures aren’t built by adding; they’re built by consciously letting go of what no longer serves us.

As the saying goes, “One yes needs to be defended with a thousand no’s.” This principle is the foundation of this journey. By saying “no” to behaviors that hold us back, we create space for innovation, inclusion, and impact. Let’s start this new series with a behavior that’s as old as leadership itself: assumption.

Behavior to Drop: Assumption in Leadership

Leaders often fall into the trap of assumption—thinking they know how their team feels, what they need, or how they’ll respond. But here’s the catch: what you assume about your team is rarely the truth. And when assumptions become your guide, they lead you straight to the land of disconnection and disengagement.

Where Does This Behavior Come From?

1. The “Been-There-Done-That” Syndrome:

Leaders who’ve climbed the ladder often believe their past experiences mirror their team’s current emotions. Spoiler alert: They don’t.

2. Time Poverty:

Leadership is a balancing act, and in the rush to deliver results, taking shortcuts through assumption feels like a time-saver.

3. Fear of Confrontation:

Asking your team how they feel or what they think might open a can of worms. Assumption feels safer.

Why This Behavior Is a Problem

When leaders assume instead of asking, teams feel unheard, undervalued, and alienated. Misalignment between what you think and what they feel creates:

• Erosion of Trust

• Reduced Morale

• Innovation Bottlenecks

How to Drop the Assumption Habit

1. Adopt Curiosity Over Certainty:

Replace “I know” with “Help me understand.”

2. Make Time for Feedback Loops:

Regular check-ins aren’t just “nice-to-haves”; they’re your compass.

3. Use SCARF as a Guide:

• Status: Validate your team’s unique value.

• Certainty: Be transparent about what you know (and don’t).

• Autonomy: Involve the team in decisions.

• Relatedness: Show you care about their perspective.

• Fairness: Ensure your actions match your words.

What Happens When You Drop This Behavior?

You build trust, foster inclusion, and unlock a wellspring of team creativity and engagement. Imagine a team where everyone feels heard—and acts accordingly.

Closing Thought

Eliminating behaviors like assumption is the secret to creating the culture we dream of. And this is just the beginning. Next month, we’ll explore another behavior to drop—and the ripple effects it creates.

Until then, keep asking questions and never assume the answers.

(P.S. Want to share a leadership assumption story? Hit reply—I’d love to hear it!)

Thought of the Month- one YES needs to be defended with a thousand NOs.