Conclusions

CliA reporter said something the other day that resonated with me.  I normally avoid their show, but I could not avoid this.  They were talking about modelling, and said “decisions needed to be based on conclusions and not assumptions.”
I have seen people make decisions based on their perception rather than the known facts.  An article in New Scientist talked about peer reviews and they said many people write articles to support their assumption.  They may do 300 tests and three only support their view but it is those three they highlight.
Stephen Covey wrote in the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” about a father in a train letting his kid run amuck.  It looked really bad.  Then the person ready to complain, found out from the father of the child that they had just lost the mother.  They needed compassion rather than judgement.
To me it is important not to base what we do on our assumptions.  Often we are right, but we need the full story to make an informed decision.  I wrote something that would have worked but it was only after I had the views of others that I saw their thoughts improved the outcome.
I reckon assumptions are one thing, but it is conclusions I need to base my decisions on.