Picture this: A project manager sends a quick Slack message to their team late on a Friday afternoon. The message is short, maybe even a little abrupt: “Need the numbers for Monday’s meeting. Please send ASAP.”
One team member reads it and feels attacked. “Why is she always on my case? Does she think I’m not doing my job?” Another teammate, however, interprets it differently. They assume positive intent. “She’s under pressure to prep for Monday. She probably just needs the data quickly so we’re ready.”
Same message. Two very different reactions. One creates tension, the other builds trust. That’s the power of choosing to assume positive intent.
What Does It Mean to Assume Positive Intent?
To assume positive intent is to approach interactions with the belief that others are acting in good faith, even if their words or actions might be unclear, clumsy, or different from how you would approach a situation. Instead of defaulting to defensiveness or judgment, assuming positive intent gives people the benefit of the doubt and creates space for healthier communication.
In business and leadership, this mindset is powerful. It reframes misunderstandings as opportunities for clarity, not conflict.
Why Assuming Positive Intent Matters in Business Settings
In team and organizational culture, the practice of assuming positive intent is a multiplier. It fosters trust, reduces friction, and strengthens relationships across departments. When leaders and team members approach each other with the mindset that “this person means well,” conversations shift.
- Stronger collaboration: Teams communicate openly, without fear of hidden agendas.
- Higher productivity: Energy is spent solving problems instead of second-guessing motives.
- Improved morale: Employees feel respected and valued, which leads to stronger engagement.
At its core, assuming positive intent creates a foundation of trust—something every high-performing culture depends on.
The Challenges of Assuming Positive Intent
Of course, embracing this mindset isn’t always easy. Workplace realities can make it difficult:
- Past experiences: If someone has felt undermined or dismissed before, it’s hard to default to trust.
- Tone and delivery: Emails, chat messages, or rushed conversations can come across as harsher than intended.
- Stress and deadlines: When pressure is high, people are quick to interpret messages through a negative lens.
These challenges highlight why assuming positive intent is a discipline, not just a one-time choice. It requires awareness, practice, and consistency.
How to Make Assuming Positive Intent the Norm
The good news is, assuming positive intent can become part of your team’s culture. Here are a few practical ways to embed it:
- Model it as a leader. When leaders assume positive intent publicly and privately, it sets the tone for everyone else.
- Encourage curiosity over judgment. Teach teams to ask clarifying questions instead of jumping to conclusions.
- Normalize feedback. Create an environment where direct, respectful feedback is welcome—so misunderstandings don’t have room to grow.
- Address stress openly. Recognize that high-pressure situations can warp perception, and proactively reset conversations.
- Celebrate trust. When team members demonstrate positive intent, call it out and affirm it as part of your culture.
Making the Shift
When teams assume positive intent, communication becomes clearer, collaboration runs smoother, and culture becomes healthier. Instead of wasting energy on suspicion or frustration, people focus on growth, problem-solving, and results.
Start small: pause before reacting, ask a clarifying question, and remind yourself to believe the best about others. Over time, this mindset shift becomes second nature, and it will transform not only your team but also your leadership.
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Ready for more?
If you liked this, then you might be interested in my new book, Living Life Daily. Designed to motivate and challenge you every day, this book offers 365 thought-provoking prompts that will push you to reflect, take action, and embrace meaningful change. Whether you’re striving to set clearer goals, build resilient habits, or cultivate a winning mindset, each daily entry is packed with wisdom and practical advice to help you take small steps toward big results. Find it here!
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When we’re working on assuming positive intent, what keeps us anchored? Purpose. Whether we’re driving a project at work or driven to grow in an area of our lives, purpose is a key ingredient to staying on track. With the right questions and a clear path, finding your purpose can be simpler than you think.
That’s why I created the Personal Purpose Guide to walk you through the same process I used myself: Reflect. Discover. Craft. Align.
Your purpose isn’t somewhere “out there.” It’s already inside you. You just need to find it—and choose to live it.
Here’s to making that a reality…
John
