The irony isn't lost on me

Don’t make assumptions.

That was one of our guiding principles at a company I've been involved in. It's also been one of my cardinal principles for several years.

It's about taking responsibility for your reasoning before a decision is made and an action is taken.

We took it a step further: Don’t make assumptions. Don't allow others make them. Ask. Check. Research. Speak up.

It's too important that it's one of the four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

In the same breath, I know that it's safe to make some assumptions, especially these assumptions:

That everyone is doing the best they can based on what they know and their capacity at this time.

That when people know better, they will do better.

That the other person is here to also give generously and contribute whole-heartedly.

That most wrongdoing is likely not maliciously intended.

That the person you are doing business with is not playing a zero-sum game.

That, like you, there are others not doing things for short-term rewards and really care about the long haul.

While these assumptions become a foundation for interacting with others, you can add another layer of trust by verifying.