I've worked with hundreds of companies, executives and cultures over the years. The issue that comes up time and time again is a concept psychologists call the FUNDAMENTAL ATTRIBUTION ERROR.

It's that moment when someone blows through a red light and you think "What an idiot! They're reckless and are going to kill someone?"!!?

But you have no idea what's happening in that car or in the life and mind of the other driver.

On the other hand, YOU run a red light and give yourself a pass: "I'm late to a meeting. My kid just spilled her shake in her lap and is screaming. I looked down for a second and didn't realize the light changed."

It's easy to forgive ourselves for issues that seem SITUATIONAL. We're not bad people, we just found ourselves in a situation that caused us to do something bad.

However, we far too often assign those same issues to other people as part of their PERSONALITY. They ARE bad, stupid, ignorant, uncaring ... and their mistake is simply a manifestation of all that is wrong with them.

This week, challenge yourself and your team to see the GOOD in people. See that they ARE trying—that they ARE working to solve the problem.

It's hard enough out there. Let's give each other a break. #teamspirit