I always presume someone is a good person until they prove me otherwise!

This week I experienced a great example as to why this is something we should all do.

Whilst working with a group of young people on some outdoor activities I welcomed them all and then introduced myself. I then asked the young people to introduce themselves. As I was going round the group one of the young people gave me their name. Let’s use ‘A’. As the young person gave me their name, another person in the group told me they were a trouble maker. At this point ‘A’ said “yes, I get told that a lot”. They looked a bit worried.

I turned to ‘A’ and said that, when I meet a person for the first time, I presume they are a good person.

The reason I do this is that, by presuming this, I am always presuming a positive experience from each and every person. This way, the individual is given every opportunity to succeed!

So I then turned to ‘A’ and said “are you a good person”. They shrugged their shoulders and said “I dunno”.

So this is where each and every person has the opportunity to make good choices. Do they follow the path of a ‘good person’ or do they choose the path of what others label a ‘trouble maker’?

I have since spent 2 days with ‘A’ and their group. ‘A’ has proved themselves to be a very attentive and fun individual. A person who is able to follow instruction, receive coaching and make choices that help them and their group.  Also a fantastic sense of humour!

Would this have happened if I had presumed the role of ‘trouble maker’? I genuinely dont think so. The reason ‘A’ was able to shine is because they were given every opportunity to succeed!

Have you ever been told that someone is a trouble maker? Did you go with that presumption? Would the results have been different if you had given the person the opportunity to succeed?

If you are ever introduced to someone and are told they are a trouble maker then please, please, please fight that bias and presume they are a good person. Every person has the right to succeed. They will only succeed if you give them the chance!