The Dilemma of Bias in Leadership

Source: www.muchsocial.com

I’ve recently been conducting research related to bias in interviewing and hiring and in doing so uncovered some excellent and surprising information on how to build a greater awareness of ones bias in the hiring process.  This research has also unintentionally helped me develop a more acute awareness of the role of bias and it’s influence not only in hiring but also beyond.

On a personal level, it’s become clear to me -- in fact painfully so -- that though I thought myself to be an open-minded person, I in fact have deeper, more influential biases than I realized or frankly care to admit.

Bias in its basic definition is described in a negative light; but in its purest form does not have to be seen as such.   It can be equated in the same vein as discerning (a positive term) because in the end it’s all about that -- making a judgment based on certain criteria and we know the better the judgment the better the outcome.

When you look at the source of bias and how it is developed, here is where the dilemma surfaces.  Whatever bias or preferences you have in any situation has been shaped and cultivated from your collective life experience or life conditioning. That conditioning has shaped who you are, crafted your capabilities, molded your beliefs, tested your values all through the filter of your innate wiring -- which some call personality. It’s that conditioning that has made you the leader you are today and in that you could say your bias (part of your conditioning) on some level has served your success. And yet, that same collective experience -- where your bias resides can unknowingly work against you and those you lead.

One of the most popular areas of professional development for which I conduct seminars is creative and innovative thinking. It’s an area that the IBM Institute for Business Values proclaimed through a survey of 1,500 CEOs as one of the most important leadership competency. In fact Richard Florida in his book, Rise of the Creative Class states, “Ideas are the new commodity of the 21st century.”  Most of today’s leaders would agree!

And yet, giving attention to your ideas, deeming them credible as well as the ideas of others can easily be undermined by your very own bias.  Perhaps you’ve discounted an idea because of the person delivering it. Your bias towards their appearance, personality or even current work performance has you judging the value of the idea before it’s even been uttered accompanied by this thought, “Surely this person can’t come up with a credible idea.”

Or, because of past experience or past conditioning a potential solution pops into your mind and is quickly discounted with the phrase, “that probably won’t work.” (Mind you, it hasn’t been tested yet.)

The dilemma of bias is that the very benefits of bias aka discernment, which has supported and enhanced your leadership capabilities can also be the source of being close-minded, judgmental, discounting potential talent or value as fast as a Blink as referenced in Malcolm Gladwell’s book. The result is you become the unconscious victim of your own success.  Yes, your success can limit your success and bias can play a role in that.

I believe an essential practice of a growing leader is nurturing a keen awareness of the role bias plays in how they lead and manage their own talent and the talent of others and ultimately the profitability of their company. Notice I said a “growing” leader.  To grow and be creative and innovative, you’ll need to be willing to stretch beyond your current preferences or biases.  

Let’s not sabotage the exciting possibilities that await all of us by not owning and managing as best we can the presence of bias.

Other articles: 
Is Bias Undermining Your Hiring

Learn More About How We Can Help

If you want to learn more and read case studies in detail,  I recommend 2 of our latest executive briefings: 

> Show Me The Money! Solving the Mystery of ROI to Unlock Profits & Increase Company Value - click here to access This is one of the best, easy to read discussions on how to connect human behavior to profits (a critical knowledge point for all leaders).

> I've Been Around the Block a Few Times: Let me Save You a Few Trips and Some Money Along the Way (my 20th anniversary briefing of insights and advice, which includes my top 6 business building tips through the lens of leveraging the human element) - click here for a complimentary digital copy.

Both are full of unique business building strategies and concepts that have proven to impact any company's P/L. Want to improve your people management? Want to generate operational improvement? You'll want to get both!

 Schedule a complimentary advisory call and receive a copy of our latest executive briefing.

// The Human Sphere™ is a holistic business growth consultancy that partners with forward-thinking senior leaders to bridge the knowledge gap in connecting people, performance, and profits. We focus on better business building by helping leaders understand and leverage human behavior. This knowledge gap is the most significant reason for operational problems.

// email: joann@thehumansphere.com // Ph: 888.388.0565 //

 Schedule a complimentary advisory call and receive a copy of our latest executive briefing.