The Principle of Charitable Interpretation

I am encouraging many of my client organizations to adopt a Principle of Charitable Interpretation to improve the way their members work together. Here’s a simple statement of such a principle: “When you and I disagree, I will first assume that you are competent and well-intentioned.” This principle provides an important tool for avoiding some conflicts and managing the rest. However, as you might imagine, many people find embracing such a principle to be quite challenging.

The principle itself isn’t novel, and it isn’t rocket science. I learned it in my academic work, where a Principle of Charity is used to govern the way that scholars read and respond to texts. In adapting this principle to our work in organizations, we are in excellent company. “Seek first to understand, and then to be understood” is one of Steven Covey’s Seven Habits. Robert Sutton, in his excellent book, The No Asshole Rule, puts it another way: “Listen like you are wrong; speak like you are right.”
Whatever the formulation, we first assume that our fellows are capable, and seek what’s best for our organization. Then we can discern where we agree, where we disagree, and what we ought to do.

The principle prevents misunderstanding. In one fire department, an oversight by one officer led two firefighters to assume that they were being systematically excluded from a training opportunity. They resented it, and told others. Negative gossip spread. The real root cause: a training captain grabbed the wrong list. He apologized, sincerely, but days (and many testy, inaccurate emails) later than he would have, had the excluded firefighters simply asked what was up. Each gossiper, in turn, could have responded: “That doesn’t seem right. Did you ask what’s up?”

Charitable interpretation is harder to maintain than it would seem, especially for some folks. Old resentments can get in the way, or a deeper fear that we aren’t good enough, and someone is sure to find out. Such insecurities are sure to color one’s perspective, often uncharitably. Some people are more deliberate, maintaining an uncharitable environment for their own political purposes. Most folks, though, seem to go with the flow, whether it is negative or positive.

This principle only works if it is really used. People show wisdom and leadership by embracing a principle of charitable interpretation, and by strongly encouraging others to do the same. Pause, especially when you feel anger rising. Listen and ask questions designed to uncover the truth, not confirm a negative assumption. Respond to the negative gossip from the same constructive perspective. Step up to the plate, and support the organization. Practice, practice, practice.

CAW