API - Assume Positive Intent

Sometimes, we’ll have a client or colleague that shows up negatively. We don’t know why, and it’s easy to assume they aren’t considerate/kind/well-intended/etc. Everyone suffers, and some are better at masking it. API is the act of approaching any interaction (even ones where the tone might be aggressive) with the belief that the person ultimately means well. It offers grace (we all need a little), and when API is applied with purpose, it can relieve/mitigate the additional stress and anxiety that typically follows such interactions.