Update "Assume Positive Intent" to address potential pitfalls with statement
Why is this change being made?
Based on this slack thread I started: https://gitlab.slack.com/archives/CLLDY3L8P/p1645080493905169
There are conversations across the professional community about the potential pitfalls of "assume positive intent" in company values. It has the potential to become a mechanism for people to not be held accountable for their actions or a way to excuse harmful behavior. I thought maybe adding “assume positive intent but address negative outcomes” would be a helpful way for us to address this.
POC and MIT opinions on "Assume Positive Intent" in workplace culture
- https://www.inspired-human.com/post/why-assuming-positive-intent-in-the-workplace-is-counterproductive
- https://forge.medium.com/the-problem-with-assuming-positive-intent-ea8385ce961d
Other articles and comments:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebekahbastian/2019/06/10/microaggressions-good-intent-is-not-good-enough/
- https://twitter.com/KR1573N/status/1493795713876176896?s=20&t=UYyFfgX5ItiRey9JFI83bQ
- https://thebias.com/2017/09/26/how-good-intent-undermines-diversity-and-inclusion/
Author Checklist
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Provided a concise title for the MR -
Added a description to this MR explaining the reasons for the proposed change, per say-why-not-just-what - Copy/paste the Slack conversation to document it for later, or upload screenshots. Verify that no confidential data is added.
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Edited by Rebecca Spainhower