Avoid Jumping to Conclusions

Adapted from “The Ladder of Inference” by the Mind Tools Editorial Team

Have you ever been accused of “putting 2 and 2 together and making 5,” meaning that the other person thinks you have jumped to the wrong conclusion?

In today’s, fast moving world, we are always under pressure to act now, rather than spend time reasoning things through and thinking about the true facts.

Not only can this lead us to a wrong conclusion, but it can also cause conflict with other people, who may have drawn quite different conclusions on the same matter.

In a fast business environment, you nee to make sure your actions and decisions are founded on reality. Likewise, when you accept or challenge other people’s conclusions, you need be confident that their reasoning, and yours, is firmly based on the true facts.

Reference: Mind Tools Editorial Team “The Ladder of Inference” Mind  Tools Ltd, 2016, www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_91.htm