Facts vs. Opinions

Assertions have to do with what is so. Assessments have to do with what is possible.

Julio Olalla

When managers speak of performance in the workplace, opinions often masquerade as facts. For example, "Sue is a great team player." Or, "Fred is not supportive of the organizational vision."

Chalmers Brothers, the author of “Language and the Pursuit of Happiness”, distinguishes factual statements (assertions) from subjective judgments (assessments).

Assertions belong to the thing being observed and can be true or false. An objective third party can always verify the true-ness or false-ness of the assertion.

Assessments belong to the observer, and in many ways reveal more about the observer than they do about the thing being observed. There is always room for another assessment. No third party may ever “prove” an assessment true or false. They are simply personal judgments made by different observers out of different standards, beliefs, moods, and experiences.

When individuals "assert" that their opinions are true, conflicts often arise. When individuals distinguish between assessments and assertions, conflicts are minimized and communication is more effective. (At least that's my assessment!)