Having biases are just like riding a bike…literally, you'll see. Once we form them (consciously or unconsciously) we retreat and rely on them with the same ease as riding a bike years after we learned how to ride. In the below video, Destin of Smarter Every Day, demonstrates how powerful some biases can be.
In many cases our biases help us function in the world with greater ease, efficiency, and safety. I’m bias to driving on the right side of the road so that I don’t smash into an oncoming car. Other times our biases are as hard wired into our brains as riding a bike and we are completely blind to them. It’s these “blind bias” that can undermine our influence and growth.
It was fascinating to see Destin’s six year old son debunk his bike bias in just two weeks when it took Destin eight months to do the same. It’s true that younger brains have higher neruroplasticity than adults and thus are able to learn faster. Kids also have less years of built-up blind biases to overcome when introduced to a new idea or concept. This explains why many revolutions and innovations occur within the youth.
Related Read: The Mindset Required To Remain Relevant In Today's Fast World
What blind biases might you have that are hindering your growth? Do you have a bias towards how work must be done, how leaders must lead, how Millennials are supposed to act, how technology is to be used, or how your customers think?
We must be careful how we interpret things because we are looking at the world with a bias, whether we know it or not. Warning signs of a blind bias might be statements like “this is always how it’s been done” or “this is the only way I know how.” All of which are death wishes in today’s high-pace, adapt-or-die marketplace.
Related Read: How The Internet Killed One Of Your Favorite Crutch Phrases
How do we expose our blind bias? Just like checking your blind spot while driving, it helps to have with a strategy or habit that will remind you to take a second look at our blind spot. Here are a few simple ideas:
- Engage in reverse mentoring sessions.
- Go to the source of a perceived blind bias and ask direct and naive questions.
- Monitor your thoughts for words like “always,” “never,” “forever,” etc.
- Set a recurring reminder on your phone that asks you “Are you operating with a blind bias right now?"
Related Read: 18 Quotes To Inspire You To Embrace The Powerful Pursuit Of Continuous Learning
Hopefully Destin and his "MacGyver mullet” will be your catalyst to uncovering your blind bias so that you can continue to grow. May you make exposing your blind bias as easy as riding a bike.
Question: What bias might you be blind to?
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