Confirmation Bias

Impact on LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS

Treasure:

In leadership, confirmation bias can cause a leader to make quicker decisions when aligned with established beliefs.

This bias also urges leaders to act with confidence and clarity because they align the decisions they make and the actions they take to their firmly held ideas and beliefs.

Risk:

The “risk” however, is that critical information will be overlooked leading to flawed decisions. Confirmation bias limits the depth and breadth of research because it influences people to see and accept what they already think is true.

Where confirmation bias is prominent in a leader, another risk is the evolution of a homogenous thinking culture that resists change, new thinking, and innovation.


KNOW YOUR KNOTS - Learn to recognize when Confirmation Bias is taking the lead.

Ask yourself:

Do I tend to favor information that aligns with my existing beliefs or opinions?

Am I quick to dismiss information or viewpoints that contradict my current beliefs?

Do I find myself only seeking out sources that agree with my viewpoint?

Do I interpret ambiguous or neutral information in a way that supports my existing beliefs?

Do I recall instances that confirm my beliefs more easily than those that contradict them?

Do I tend to twist data to align with my beliefs?



STRATEGIES to manage this bias: Pause – Perspective – Practice - Progress

Pause:
Think about whether you give more weight to evidence or opinions that support what you already believe.
Consider whether you are likely to ignore or discredit opinions or information that challenge your preconceptions.

Think about whether you predominantly consume information from sources known to align with your beliefs.

Review past decisions to identify instances where confirmation bias may have played a role.


Perspective:
Actively seek and consider opinions and information from a variety of sources, especially those that challenge your current viewpoints.

In meetings or decision-making processes, assign someone the role of devil’s advocate to ensure alternative viewpoints are considered.

Encourage feedback on your decisions and be open to constructive criticism. This will provide you with insight into the intensity of your confirmation bias.

Practice:
Look for information and cases that may disprove your belief. Only referencing perspectives that fuel pre-existing views means ignoring or dismissing information that could help you to loosen and reshape your belief into a position supported by evidence.

Implement processes for critical and objective analysis of all available data.

Practice active listening. When you receive information, especially contradictory evidence, listen carefully. Understand, consider, respond, and remember what is being said.

Challenge your assumptions by making it a habit to question your beliefs. The stronger your conviction about a belief, the more you should challenge it.

Progress:
Understanding what confirmation bias is and how it operates can help in recognizing and managing it. Unmanaged, this bias will result in a lack of objectivity in decision-making, leading to decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information.

Lead by example. Model behavior that shows a willingness to consider opposing viewpoints and an openness to changing your mind based on new information.