You cannot in any way, shape or form KNOW for certain what the motivations and intentions of other human beings are – so I suggest you stop guessing.
I have in many walks of life – whether conceptually categorized as professional life or private life observed what I perceive as a nonsensical guessing game being played in the interactions between human beings.
The Nonsensical Guessing Game – that I refuse to play – since I find it an utter waste of my time – goes something along the lines described in the following (as other games it has players and rules).
Player 1 (often the younger, less experienced player is allowed to start when playing board games – while some times older players play this game equally well and start it).
Player 1 exclaims something like (normally not with Player 2 present unless the game has spun out of control): “Player 2 is an idiot and has evil self-serving intentions” (note: maybe such a statement can be perceived as labeling, categorizing, passing judgment onto others). “I know this BECAUSE he or she said and did such and such and they did this BECAUSE they have motivations and intentions which they try to hide”.
I cannot count how many times I have observed similar exclamations.
Then often Player 3 jumps in and agree with Player 1 and make similar statements about Player 2 (Player 2 is typically not present).
In my view the causal logic expressed (verbalized) by Player 1 and Player 3 is fundamentally flawed – and I dislike this behavior – so I do my very best to be conscious about this and refrain from playing along in this particular game.
Furthermore it is in my view all to easy to fall victim to the cognitive bias of the above Nonsensical Guessing Game which I find destructive.
Here is my thinking and assertions:
- It is impossible for me to know the specific individual motivations and intentions of another human being BECAUSE
- It is impossible for me to observe what another human being is thinking BECAUSE
- Thinking happens in the brain of another human being.
- THEREFORE I personally deliberately always assume positive intent and trust other human beings (worst case neutral intent as in they do not care either way).
- BECAUSE then I allow them to worst case prove me wrong in putting my trust in them (and I would rather trust someone else than not since I believe trust is fundamental for any human interaction where achieving mutual benefits is the goal).
Some would maybe find this naive. I don’t. I think and believe this is a reinforcing virtuous circle and I intent to keep thinking and behaving like this. This is a life choice of mine.
Looking back I am continuously striving to find my why and looking forward I refer to this as my purpose: Trust and Inspire Human Beings so that they may Grow to Live their Purpose.
Could there be a virtuous circle cause and effect logic here? Trust (cause) and Grow to Live Purpose (effect)?
I am curious what you think?