Are you seeking opinions or confirming your bias?

It seems now everywhere we turn there is a new story in the news about racism, discrimination, or unfair treatment. How we view the stories and how we perceive the intentions and ramifications within the stories is fueled by our own internal belief systems. What we were taught by our parents, friends, and through our own personal experience creates the lens that we view the world through. This is the foundation for unconscious bias and like it or not, admit it or not, we all have them. If left unchecked, unconscious bias can do a huge disservice to yourself, and to the people around you. 

So where do you begin? It begins with questioning your thoughts and long-held beliefs. It requires gathering differing opinions. Sometimes you need to borrow a lens from someone else to be able to see it from another perspective.

Why is dealing with unconscious bias so difficult? Because for most people, second-guessing their own belief systems does not come naturally. Becoming diverse in your thoughts and actions is an intentional choice. 

But what happens when you commit to being more open-minded and expanding your thinking, and you begin to ask questions but everyone who you surround yourself with looks and thinks like you?  More often than not the opinions you get merely affirm what you already thought or believe instead of providing you with another perspective. Again, most people do this completely unintentionally. The result is called Confirmation Bias. 

Take a look at the video below to find out more about Confirmation Bias.

For more information about unconscious bias, and how you can begin to shift the thinking in your organization or schedule a complimentary 30 minute consultation contact an associate today at morelandtraining.com.