My Thoughts on the Four Agreements

​So I have this job right. It has been the bane of my experience for somewhere near the last 90 days. I think this is because it brings out the mustard seed size of insecurity in me while challenging me and driving me to new levels of self-competence I did not know I could achieve. My supervisor, the Executive Director, has challenged me in ways that trigger my ego on alternate universe sized levels. One is related to the book that speaks about four agreements. The one that tends to get the most focus is the agreement where one is to make no assumptions. I remember once, at a team meeting, a peer of mine rebutted that the “assumption” as labeled by our supervisor was more of an observation and continual experience to which my supervisor had no response. I chuckled. I think that I chuckled because it became apparent at that moment, that anyone could label your experience an assumption thereby negating the need to accept any level of responsibility for the way others are experiencing them. I think that one of the things I love most about the work I do is the realization that any observation or assessment must be backed up or evidenced by some behavior or explanation in order to substantiate the label chosen. I think assumptions are necessary because they require conversation and discussion and disagreement which breeds inclusion and increased self-awareness when done correctly. I think it is an opportunity to share experiences and discuss barriers. Assumptions can be both positive and negative but in any case it could be what sparks a much needed conversation.