We believe that hypotheses help teams and individuals communicate more efficiently. Here is an explanation why.
Communication within a team is usually straightforward. We understand the goals we want to achieve and have a direct impact on the direction we choose. Ideally, we move in the same direction and at a similar pace, creating a small ecosystem that is familiar to us.
Things get complicated when we look at larger systems like organizations. There are multiple teams and even more individuals. The ultimate goal might be understandable, but there are factors that make communication harder. We have different perspectives because our daily work is focused on different areas. We have different skills and knowledge, we specialize and do different things. We move at various paces and experience different things. But we still rely on each other.
Every time we come up with a change that affects not only our team but other parts of the organization, we put ourselves at risk because, due to our limited perspective, we might not see the consequences in other places. The natural way to minimize this risk is to ask for feedback. But here's the catch: If we ask for feedback on the change, we might receive poor feedback or none at all. Why is that?
Because it's hard to give feedback on someone's actions without knowing the intention. What's the desired outcome someone is trying to achieve? Looking at the sole action, others might not feel the importance of it and might deprioritize it.
When we use hypotheses to communicate, we give others a way to provide feedback not only on our actions but also on the direction we choose and the approach we take.
If I understand what someone is trying to achieve, it's easier to express:
- If this seems to be an important topic from my perspective
- If the direction is accurate
- If the chosen approach is optimal
I can also imagine:
- What consequences it might have for me, my team, or the organization
- What can go wrong
- How I can support it
- Why this is important
Hypothesis-driven communication helps us communicate better between teams. It helps our projects be more successful by better expressing our intentions and painting a better picture of the change we want to make.