• Blog
• November 24, 2024

How Well Do You Know Your Brain? The Truth About Unconscious Bias

Imagine your morning: you wake up, eat breakfast, and call a taxi for a doctor’s appointment. You chat with the driver and arrive at the hospital, where a nurse asks you to wait. The doctor then gives you good news about your results.

Now, open your eyes. Did you picture the driver, nurse, and doctor as a specific gender or race? This is unconscious bias at work.

Our brains are incredible, but they can trick us with hidden biases that influence decisions without us realizing it. These biases lead to unfair judgments and discrimination. For example, you might assume a well-dressed person is smart (halo effect), or think other cars are cheap after seeing an expensive one first (anchoring bias). We tend to favor those who are similar to us (affinity bias) and confirm our existing beliefs (confirmation bias).

As coaches, unconscious bias can also affect how we guide our clients. We might unintentionally lean towards certain perspectives based on our own biases. Being aware of these tendencies ensures we stay open and present with our clients. Recognizing bias is the first step in overcoming it.

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By Executive Coach Lidia Plotkina, MACC Writer www.lidiaplotkina.com