What assumptions do you have? More importantly, what outdated assumptions do you currently hold tight?
An outdated assumption is an assumption that is no longer valid or useful because it is old or out-of-date. Our outdated assumptions are no longer valid or useful. They’ve been proven wrong.
Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash
Yet…
We cling to them. We hold fast to them because we don’t want to say we were wrong, new evidence has come to light, or we’re ignorant of the change.
The problem with holding onto outdated assumptions is that they hurt us. They hurt our organizations. And they hurt our ability to lead well.
3 Reasons To Challenge Outdated Assumptions
Whenever we come across an assumption we hold to be true, we have to see if it is still valid. More importantly, when we come across an assumption that is no longer valid, we have to challenge and replace it. Below, you’ll find 3 reasons to challenge those outdated assumptions.
The sooner you challenge them and replace them, the better.
Outdated assumptions increase bad decision making:
That’s right! An outdated assumption will increase bad decision making. Why? Because you’re making decisions based on incorrect information.
Examine the assumptions you’re operating under. Has anything changed? Have you changed? Have you noticed things aren’t right?
Then it’s time to change your assumption before the assumption informs your decision making process.
Outdated assumptions make you resistant to change:
One of the reasons we don’t want to confront outdated assumptions is because it means we’ll have to change. We now have new information about our beliefs, thoughts, or actions. That information tells us that we’re wrong.
But we’re planted firm in those assumptions. Know what that does?
We become resistant to change. We don’t want to admit that we’re wrong. That we’ve made bad choices. That we’ve held false truths as gospel.
And that makes us dangerous.
Stop being resistant to change. Everything changes.
Outdated assumptions hurt your influence:
Last but certainly not least is the fact that outdated assumptions hurt your influence.
How so?
People are watching you. They’re looking to see what you believe, how you act, and what you do about it. They also know that leaders have to be flexible and willing to change.
When you’re not, when you use outdated information… they notice. They see you going down a path of destruction.
If they’re smart, they will change course. If not, they will follow you and your assumptions down a dangerous path.
Once they realize you’re operating on false assumptions, that’s when you begin to lose your influence. No one wants to follow or learn from someone who can’t see the truth. Who’s unwilling to make things right.
Outdated Assumptions Are Dangerous
Don’t hold tightly to your assumptions, especially to your outdated assumptions. Constantly review and reflect upon what you’re choosing to believe.
Does it still line up with truth? Is it hurting you or someone else? Has something changed?
The more you examine your assumptions, the more you can weed out the outdated assumptions. If you keep digging, you’ll probably discover that many of your assumptions are no longer valid.
That’s okay. Clean them up, get them out, and start over again.
