Assume PositiveIntent

Mentor Program, July 2013

Geraldine GollehonAmy GunterShannon Chappell

Why are we here today?

The Mentor Program…our Mentors:

Dennis Paul

Laura Pratt

Les Boothby

• Our team, our work, how we got here today!

Today’s Journey

• Accountability (to yourself & others)• ‘The Story’• Assumptions• Intent vs. Action• ‘One Way Street’• …did we mention accountability!

Welcome to Cubeville!

He looks busy. I’ll be quiet so I don’t

disturb him.

What a SNOB! She

can’t even say ‘good

morning’!

Cartoon

• What do you see, hear and feel?

• What do you ASSUME…?

• How do our assumptions vary?

Assumptions

• How do we respond when we make assumptions?– ‘Making assumptions is a setup for suffering because

usually we gossip about our assumptions. We make assumptions and believe we are right, then we defend our assumptions and try to make others wrong.’

The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz

Assuming Positive Intent?

o Assume- to take up, to take in, to suppose, to take upon one’s self without proof

o Positive- having a good effect, positive proofo Intent- determination or resolve, a state of

mind

Assume Positive Intent… our definition!

• Consciously choosing to assume our co-workers, friends and family are operating at the best of their abilities.

• Our Internal Well-Intended Behaviors.

Negative Intent…

-Feelings of Incompetence

-Low Self-Worth

-STRONG EMOTIONS!!!

Emotions and Intent

BEHAVIOR:

– Anger– Fear– Resistance– Frustration– Aggression

The True Motive:

– Maintain boundaries– Safety– Self Preservation– Motivation to seek

more information– Protection

Emotions and Intent

BEHAVIOR:

– Happiness– Pride– Achievement

The True Motive:

– Involvement of Other– Acknowledgement– Self Esteem

Why can’t I find the PI?

• Tend to explain away others behaviors

• Many times tend to assume negative intent

• Easier to fall into telling a ‘story’ to explain OUR OWN behaviors

Moving from Strong Emotions to Positive Intent:

The Art of PI

Positive Intent is:

• Mind Opening…• A Skill or Art…

– Learned – Practice– Accountable

• Self Driven…– You are the student

and teacher.– PI is unique to YOU!

Consciously choosing to assume our co-workers, friends and family are operating at the best of their abilities.

Positive Intent

• The Why and the How…• Accountability and Results• Practice, Practice, Practice!!!• Relate to Leadership

The Why…

• Creating a High Performance Culture:– Increase employee engagement scores

• Elevations Employee Value Proposition:– ‘Elevations is the best place you have ever

worked!’

• Net Promoter Score• Work/Life Fit

But How…

• Accountability!• Motivate & Empower.• Keep promises & commitments made to

others.• Manage conflict.• Walk-the-Walk!!!

The How…

• Be Humble. – Have a willingness to learn.– Embrace Feedback and Change

• Ask Yourself…what do I want?

– “What am I behaving like I want?”

Accountability

• Take personal accountability for our actions & results.

• Actively engage in discussions & commit to decisions once they are made.

• Embrace the belief that all injuries are preventable & that achieving a healthy & safe environment starts with ‘ME’!

Results

• If we assume there are positive intentions behind every behavior, then we will find them as opposed to waiting for proof.

• Does PI make any behavior OK?– Positive Intension speaks more to change and

healing than morality and justice.– Internal and self-motivating.

The Art of PI:

• “A One-Way Street”

• Self Driven…– You are the student

and teacher.– PI is unique to YOU!

• Requires Practice!!!

Consciously choosing to assume our co-workers, friends and family are operating at the best of their abilities.

Practice, Practice, Practice

• Make people feel valued & appreciated.• Achieve results & celebrate!• Have a ‘can do’ (positive) attitude & drive

to get the job done.• Help people to be their best by providing

coaching & feedback.

Practice, Practice, Practice

• Elevations Core Values:– Integrity, Respect, Passionate, Creativity, Driven

by Excellence

• Elevations Employee Proposition:– “Elevations is the best place you have ever

worked!”

• Elevations Leadership Development System:– Core & Lead Competencies– Mentor Program

Link to Leadership

ECU Training Courses:– Valuing Differences– Essentials of Leadership– Crucial Conversations– Crucial Confrontations/Accountability

Other Resources:– http://www.vitalsmarts.com/– FYI: For Your Improvement by Michael M Lambard and Robert Eichinger

– Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goldman