I watched a porcupine climb to the very top of the honey locust tree 60 or so feet above my office window to eat his favorite leaves. My first thought was amazement that he knows which tree to climb when all of the leaves are way up there.

Of course, just because I can't recognize a honey locust by anything other than its leaves does not mean a porcupine is so limited!

But for a brief moment there, I assumed that porcupine would see the trees the way I do. If I can assume a porcupine and I have that much in common, even for just a minute, imagine how easily I can assume that other people think, know, and believe as I do.

In my experience, we all do this constantly, maybe not with porcupines, but with other people, and it causes tremendous problems.

Our assumptions of commonality prevent us from listening carefully, explaining patiently, testing for understanding, and even ensuring we are talking about the same thing before we rattle on and on.

Furthermore, when we assume others think and believe as we do, anything they do that differs from what we would do becomes grounds for concluding carelessness, incompetence, or intentional sabotage.

You are not me and I am not you. Our thoughts, knowledge, and beliefs differ enough to pretty much guarantee we are not on the same page.

• Listen more carefully
• Take the time to ask clarifying questions
• Trust that most of the time people are raising points you have not considered, and
• Always give the benefit of the doubt if their behavior does not match what you think you would do.

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The difference between decent project management and excellent project management can be measured in delays, cost overruns, lost customers, employee misery, and business jeopardy. Boeing's Dreamliner provides a great example of all five.

So what are the secrets of the top project managers? What do they do differently that makes their projects finish on-time, on-budget, and with good results?

If you said 'false,' you are pretty normal and apparently have yet to encounter this popular YouTube video: 16 Goats in a Tree

Easy to miss that little fact! But do you also realize that gray foxes, which live throughout most of the US, also climb trees?

It is easy to voice amazement when you learn knew things that you aren't really expected to know. But how do you react when you hear something new that you feel you should have known?

We are all loaded with 'facts' that may not be true. And we are often afraid of looking foolish for what we don't know, so we accept additional 'facts' from others without question. We learn even more 'facts' daily on the Internet.

I was once honored with a certificate that read "Most Likely to Dispute Recognized Authorities," a good-natured jab at my constant questions. It is the only framed certificate I saved from decades in corporate America. It came at a perfect time because I had young daughters and I decided then to raise them as best I could to deserve such a certificate.

A healthy skepticism benefits all but it takes courage. I encourage you, as a manager, leader, or parent, to foster skepticism. Set a good example by challenging assumptions yourself. And be sure your behavior encourages those who question.

Best regards,

Ann Latham

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© 2009 Ann Latham. All rights reserved.