In his book Think Again, organizational psychologist Adam Grant reminds us that distance can distort perception. “The greater the distance between us and an adversary,” he writes, “the more likely we are to oversimplify their actual motives and invent explanations that stray far from their reality.”

This idea is an all too common human reaction. When we lack direct interaction, we fill in the blanks with assumptions.

Social media, remote communication, media echo chambers, and technology have dramatically widened the gap, which makes it easier to stereotype, misjudge intentions, or reduce complex people and issues to simple tag lines. Some people are taking advantage of this fact. 

In business, leadership, and everyday life, if you truly seek someone's perspective, it will lead to better collaboration and stronger relationships. It has the amazing effect of transforming conflict into curiosity.

The next time you find yourself assuming someone’s perceptions, ask, listen, and seek their story firsthand.