# Counterfeit Attribution of Intent In collaborative environments (especially in code reviews, merge requests (MRs), or team discussions) it's crucial to respect individuals’ stated intentions. Misattributing or challenging someone’s declared motives without evidence creates distrust and harms the collaborative spirit. ## Definition "Counterfeit attribution of intent" occurs when someone publicly assigns a different motivation to another person’s action than what the person has explicitly stated. ## Why It's Harmful - **Erodes Trust**: Implies that the author is being deceptive or manipulative. - **Disrespects Agency**: Denies the person the right to speak for their own intentions. - **Derails Discussion**: Shifts focus from the content (e.g., code quality, results) to speculation. - **Promotes Toxic Culture**: Encourages paranoia and discourages open communication. ## Best Practices 1. **Assume Good Faith**: Unless there is a clear, consistent pattern of deception, take people at their word. 2. **Ask, Don’t Accuse**: If something seems unclear or potentially misleading: “Can you clarify your motivation here?” is better than “This looks like you’re trying to do X.” 3. **Focus on Outcomes**: Discuss the observable effect of the change or behavior, not speculated intentions. 4. **Private Channels for Sensitive Concerns**: If you have serious doubts, raise them discreetly with a trusted party or in a private setting, not in public threads.