Unlocking Connections: Mastering the Art of Meeting People at Their Current Level of Understanding
A guide to recognizing the inherent value in everyone’s journey and contributions, no matter their current understanding.
In today’s fast-paced world, where knowledge is at our fingertips, there’s a growing tension around what we assume people should know. It’s understandable. The brain’s neocortex, built on pattern recognition and inductive thinking, is designed to make life easier. However, this can lead to a sense of entitlement or laziness.
We often find ourselves frustrated because we believe the other party “should know by now.” Whether it’s assuming a new hire should be proficient in Salesforce, or expecting a certain level of maturity based on age, these assumptions can be misleading. Worse, they exert undue pressure on those who may not possess the knowledge or experience we expect.
As a former high school English teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the impacts of such assumptions. In a 9th grade English class I taught, students’ reading levels varied widely, despite being in the same grade. Some students read at a 2nd or 3rd-grade level, while others were at a 10th or 11th-grade level. This diversity in skill levels highlights the danger of…
