MOVE 02 · FRAMING & CLARITY · FREE
Separate Facts from Assumptions
Sort what you know from what you suspect before you act on either, so your response matches reality instead of your fear.
You can only negotiate with what happened; you will mostly react to what you imagine happened.
WHY IT WORKS
Under pressure people merge observations with interpretations, then respond to the interpretation. A visible split between 'observed' and 'assumed' lowers the emotional temperature and shows which assumptions are cheap to test before you commit to a move.
WHEN TO USE IT
- You feel a strong reaction to a short or ambiguous message.
- You are about to send a reply that assumes intent.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
- Facts are clear and the delay of further analysis would itself cause harm.
- You are using analysis to avoid a conversation you already know you need to have.
SIGNALS IT FITS
- You are explaining their motives to yourself in detail.
- Your planned reply contains words like 'obviously' or 'clearly they'.
PREPARATION
- Write two columns: what was said or done, and what you believe it means.
- Mark each assumption with how you could test it.
STEP BY STEP
- List only observable events with dates.
- List your interpretations separately.
- Choose the one assumption that would most change your move if wrong.
- Test it with a neutral question before acting.
OPENING LINE
“I want to make sure I'm responding to what actually happened, so let me check one thing.”
SCRIPT
I noticed the review was moved twice this month. I don't want to read too much into that — is the timing still working on your side?
LIKELY RESPONSES & COUNTERS
- If they confirm nothing has changed
- Accept it, propose a fixed date, and note it in writing.
- If they reveal a change you did not know about
- Thank them and switch to Ask for the Constraint before proposing anything.
SECOND MOVE
If the test confirms your concern, choose a move that addresses the confirmed fact, not the original fear.
FOLLOW-UP
Record which assumptions were wrong. Patterns in your wrong assumptions are useful later.
COMMON MISTAKES
- Treating a single data point as a trend.
- Asking a 'neutral' question in an accusing tone.
WALK-AWAY CONDITIONS
- The facts, once tested, show a pattern of broken commitments rather than a misunderstanding.
EXAMPLE (FICTIONAL)
An employee read a one-word 'noted' from her manager as anger. Splitting fact from assumption, she asked whether the plan needed changes; the manager had been typing from an airport and approved it the next morning.
ETHICAL BOUNDARY
Do not present your assumptions to others as facts, including when describing the counterpart to colleagues.
RELATED MOVES
Content version 1 · Drafted by Power Move IQ Editorial · Not yet human-reviewed · Educational decision support, not legal, financial or employment advice.