In all conflicts, lack of information leads all parties into imaginary narratives that fill in the gaps.

Box breathing can help make space to reflect on automatic responses happening internally.rB1 This space can be used to identify what’s understood about the conflict, and where gaps have been filled in with assumptions. This is an important assessment because the brain is so inclined to draw a conclusion and run with it without actually inspecting it. How to inspect it intentionally. Fundamental attribution error contributes to bad assumptions.


  1. Brené Brown, Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts (New York: Random House, 2018). (See notes.)