About this quote

We all have a default filter when we look at the people around us. Some people scan every room for mistakes and hunt for reasons to dismiss others. This mindset is a cheap way to feel superior, but it leaves you isolated. Genuine strength means choosing to assume the best possible motive behind someone else's stumble. When a coworker misses a deadline, do you immediately assume they are lazy, or do you choose to believe they are simply overwhelmed?

When to use it

• When your junior designer turns in a messy draft, instead of complaining to the manager about their lack of effort, you ask yourself if they received clear instructions in the first place.
• Your spouse forgets to buy milk on the way home, and instead of picking a fight about their forgetfulness, you assume they had a stressful day at the office.
• A classmate misses a group project meeting, and instead of writing them off as a slacker, you send a quick message to check if they are doing okay.
• The cashier at the grocery store is curt and does not smile, but you decide they might be exhausted from a long shift rather than assuming they are just rude.