Over or under?

Colleagues,

Pam and I did a 25-mile backpacking trip last weekend. Because of recent storms there were large trees down across several different parts of the path.
 
Presented with these obstacles, we invariably took different approaches. Pam is 5’3” and had a very compact backpack, making it much easier for her to go under the trees. I am 6’2” and was carrying a larger pack, making it easier for me to go over them.
 
If a tree were closer to the ground, that made Pam’s task more difficult and my task easier. Of course, the opposite is also true.
 
So what?
 
When faced with a downed tree, we often assume that everyone will overcome it the same way that we would and that it will take them the same amount of effort as it takes us.
 
These are both false assumptions that lead us to under-appreciating the abilities of others and misjudging the degree of effort it takes different people to complete the same task.
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick