Give the gift of the benefit of the doubt.

A team member uncharacteristically gets a bit irritated at you. Give the benefit of the doubt. A good client simply won’t return your repeated calls. Benefit of the doubt. A loved family member said something stupid. Benefit of the doubt.

This has nothing to do with being a quiet receptacle for bad behavior. But it has everything to do with evaluating more than the moment.

For years that team member has been rock solid but this morning they are biting off your head. There is something going on there and it has nothing to do with you. Why not give the benefit of the doubt? Why not get curious instead of offended?

That approach lets you get to the bottom of what’s really going on. They know you care (because you do!). You know they are more than an uncharacteristic moment.