698 - Do you ask before assuming?

I'm currently in Charleston, SC with my kids. It's their Christmas present to me.

We took a walking tour to learn more about the history of the city.

Horse and carriage tours are also available. You hear the clopping of horse hooves as they slowly make their way down the streets.

One woman began lamenting over the poor treatment of the horses and that it shouldn't be allowed. She even criticized the driver.

Our tour guide stepped in and offered a different perspective.

These large horses are retired Amish plough horses. They led hard lives working in the fields.

As carriage horses, they have a large pasture where they graze when they aren't working. They don't work everyday.

There is one horse, named Bob, that is frightened of the large garbage trucks, so Monday (garbage day) is his day off.

Between tours, each horse is guaranteed 15 minutes rest at the water trough. They have a very good life and are well cared for.

The woman who started this whole episode had made a false assumption. Rather than asking questions she made up her mind based on limited information.

How often do you make assumptions about colleagues, employees, management, and clients?

The best way to avoid making assumptions is to ask questions.

If you're not sure, ASK.

If you believe, based on what you see, that something isn't right, ASK.

We could have so much more clarity if more people would ask questions before jumping to conclusions.

Do you ask before making assumptions?