Elevating Benefit of the Doubt
The benefit of the doubt, given thoughtfully, can be the catalyst for expanded creativity and possibility. Rather than relinquishing control, you instead create an enlivened space for someone who is taking the next step. Benefit of the doubt, in its most elevated expression, invites you to embrace the unknown as you extend an opportunity. It is not an act of naivety, but of co-accountability. In this form, you step more into the center of action. You become increasingly engaged, not less.
Stepping In
Done poorly, giving the benefit of the doubt is nothing more than a transaction. Although you have your doubts, you decide to hand over the controls and then turn your back on the situation. You then hope from the sidelines that things will turn out well. In this form, the benefit of the doubt could be detrimental, as you not only cast aside the work, but the person too.
Done well, giving the benefit of the doubt allows you to increase your engagement, even as your practical involvement decreases. This is an act of collaboration. Though you might not be guaranteed a positive result, you recognize conditions for great triumph or growth, and so you allow someone to take the risk.
Overcoming Resistence
Extending the benefit of the doubt can be daunting, especially if you’ve been burned before. Feeling resistance before you take that risk could indicate that the ingredients for success are not quite there. But, it could also reflect past experiences that change the nature of your doubt, skewing your judgment in favor of playing it safe. It’s important to know the difference between clear perception based on current circumstances and perception muddied by the past.
Uncovering Bias
Some of us start with the assumption that giving the benefit of the doubt is a good idea. Others assume it will end poorly. Either way, we often come out on the other side feeling like our initial hunch was confirmed. Our accuracy may not be explained entirely by good intuition, but rather by the reality that we were already co-constructing the ending with the other person. Your expectations change the initial conditions that make certain outcomes more or less likely. And, if you choose not to extend the benefit of the doubt at all, you will never know if it would have been a success. So, you assume you were right, potentially leading you to lifelong unrecognized confirmation bias.
Reversing the Spin of Doubt
The expression of doubt is a crucial part of the process. It is the catalyst that can just as easily accelerate you towards tremendous success as it can towards complete disaster. The nutrient-rich space you create must be maintained even in the face of potential setbacks or mistakes. Otherwise, doubt can become disabling. It can slow down progress, or even cause you—or the other person—to withdraw. Changing the spin of doubt requires taking more into account. Avoiding snap judgments. Infusing your best self into the situation. It is not ignoring or dismissing behavior; it’s freeing yourself from potential snares before possibilities collapse.