Overcoming Biases in Decision-Making Process
Great leaders are defined by their ability to make decisions smartly. This ability to make decisions smartly is, however, influenced by one’s understanding of the various bias thus essential to account for each of them before making conclusive decisions. In almost every moment, we are involved in the making of decisions, but we may be unaware of the various bias that could influence our decisions. Even when one claims to be making a conscious decision, there may be some bidden bias that could affect their decision. It is, therefore, crucial for one to understand these biases to bring more consciousness and objectivity in the process of making decisions.
To start with, one should consider increasing self-awareness by taking note of responses, judgments and reactions in an entire day on different individuals and situations. Often, one may encounter a difference within themselves when making individual decisions. At this point, it is crucial to query one’s conscience why this is happening and consider identifying the root cause.
Secondly, it is essential to consider what makes one uncomfortable. One should question themselves on why this is happening and why it influences decision making in a particular way. Additionally, they should also consider if it is the view of others that makes them make decisions aligned in a specific way. They should find out the reason behind this and be independent in this decision making.
Finally, one should consider educating themselves on the various cognitive biases that exist and how they can be able to factor them out to make unbiased decisions. These cognitive biases include confirmation bias, anchoring bias, confirmation bias and attribution bias. Confirmation bias involves looking for information that only supports your beliefs. Anchoring bias is where the choice of a person the first impression presented influences the decision made by them. Overconfidence bias occurs where one has so much confidence in their viewpoints, and attribution error involves blaming others on an outcome instead of focusing on finding a solution(Otuteyem and Siddiquee, 2015). Therefore, if one takes into account all this, proper decisions will be made without any bias.