You are biased. That’s not an opinion. It’s a fact. That’s because everyone is at least a little biased. And that is a problem for one reason: bias distorts truth. It interferes with our ability to truly understand the environment around us. One such bias is Expectation Anchor Bias. This hidden bias happens when a first impression or the first data gathered sets the bar for everything else being evaluated. We all suffer from Expectation Anchor Bias and it can be particularly problematic in business, especially when it comes to hiring.

Here’s why and how to avoid it. Continue reading →

With remote work and online applications, any job opening can have hundreds if not thousands of applicants, and not all qualified. Finding the best candidate is like finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. The process can be expensive and time-consuming. So it’s important to get it right. The key is to keep the hiring process fair, impartial, rational, logical and data-driven. Biases need to be kept out. But how, if one natural bias is to let emotions into decision-making process. Some think of it as following their gut, but emotions are easily swayed and highly unreliable. So how do companies keep emotions from leading the way?

Here’s how. Continue reading →

We all have biases. Some are conscious and intentional. Most are unconscious and hidden, even from our own self-awareness. One of the most common unintentional and unconscious biases is confirmation bias… a tendency to accept information that supports, proves or justifies our pre-held beliefs and ideas and ignores any information that doesn’t conform and confirm those views. Unfortunately, we all have confirmation bias. Yes, all. It is unavoidable and not good for companies that are hiring and managing people. Confirmation bias creates blind spots and leads to one-sided thinking. So how does a company overcome this when hiring?

Here’s how. Continue reading →

No company wants to be accused of bias in its hiring practices. Prejudice is bad for business. And many companies go to great lengths to demonstrate fairness in who is hired. Anti-discrimination policies are spelled out and communicated. But, despite every effort, there is bias built into the hiring process of every company. If not conscious bias, then at least unconscious bias is present because it is baked into the human brain. So how can a company successfully recognize and avoid the most common biases in the hiring process? It starts by understanding those hidden biases and then taking steps to mitigate their impact.

Here’s how. Continue reading →

Balance and moderation are boring. There is nothing exciting about equilibrium. Restraint and temperance are neither inspiring nor motivating. There’s no glory in keeping to the middle of the road and avoiding excess. Thrill and excitement is found at the extremes. And yet balance should be everyone’s goal because that’s where happiness and fulfillment are found. But balance is harder to achieve than any extreme workout, any gold medal, or breaking any record that measures endurance, strength, skill or talent. That’s because it requires relentless, quiet attention and perseverance. So how does one achieve and maintain balance?

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