When was the last time you made an assumption and found yourself wrong. Just plain wrong? Well, Andy Cohen has published another book I highly recommend: Challenge Your Assumptions.
I love this book for three reasons:
- I felt like he invited me in to his living room for a “man-to-man” chat.
- The tools he provides have ALREADY saved me time (and made me money!)
- Andy gives us a tool to use in the Appendix that is worth 5 times what it costs to buy the book.
[Full disclosure: I have met the author for a #CoffeeChat in New York City, and I consider him a friend!]
New Problems
1. Einstein reportedly said, “We cannot solver our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.” What I really liked about reading this book is that I didn’t feel judged or ill-equipped to dive right in. Sometimes authors do something early on that makes us feel they’re above us, better than us and that they know more than we do.
Instead of taking that route, Andy invites us in to how he sees the world. He looks out and doesn’t mind what ISN’T being seen … yet. On page 4 he writes, “You just need a way to see the multiple paths that others don’t see and then show them how to follow those paths.” Sound easier said than done? Not to worry, he gives us everything we need to see more.
To Assume
2. The verb assume: suppose to be the case, without proof. You see, an option is not proof. Past eexperiencesdon’t dictate future results. Instead, Andy gives us the very tools he uses to challenge what we THINK we know, and see things differently. Often times, that’s all it takes to reduce the stress and increase the likelihood that we’ll see something useful.
A GREAT tool comes with the advice he shares on page 24: “…asking your contact for an agenda instead of bringing your own.” Now, I might add to BRING your own, but be sure that the person you’re meeting with ALSO has done her or his homework in relation to meeting with you. Since reading this book, I’ve included the following note in EVERY meeting conversation I’ve sent:
“Is there anything you know you’d like me to bring to our conversation? Also, will you please write just two or three bullet points to let me know what you’re looking forward to - or concerned with - discussion? Thanks!”
That one note has paid off over and over again. The people I’m meeting with tell me that they appreciated how it seems like I value their time.
Dangerous Assumptions
3. What industry are you in? And, as you look to the future you’re building for yourself, where do you need to Challenge Your Assumptions? As you read through the “Dangerous Assumptions Database,” you’re sure to see a section that jumps off the page. Let me share just a few that stood out to me as an Executive Coach and Keynote Speaker at conferences:
Marketing and Sales
+ “I have a clear understanding of who the decision-maker is.”
+ “I understand my target audience completely.”
Leadership and Management
+ “I seem to be the only one worrying about the issues.”
+ “The strategy is clear to me. It’s my teams who don’t get it.”
Failure
+ “Let someone else make the decision and be wrong.”
+ “A public failure in my organization will haunt my career forever.”
Public Relations
+ “If I get written up in The New York Times, I’ll have it made.”
+ “There is no one like us.”
Bottom line: Get this book, start reading it and challenge what you think you know to be true. Out there in the field, there’s a rock to turn over and see SOMETHING about your work - and possibly your life - anew. Go, challenge yourself!