Recognize Your Bias

Recognize that you are biased. We all are. When faced with a decision, your bias form part of your thinking at either a conscious or subconscious level. You need people around you to question and challenge your prefabricated ideas, expose any gaps and make you see things with a broader perspective. 

The problem is that such people who can be radically transparent with you can be rare. They are rare because, in many organizations, they can often be shut down whenever they raise their hand to bring a different perspective. As a result, many leaders say, “I don’t want yes people around me” only to prove at the next meeting they hold that they hate to be challenged and will slap down anyone who dares to disagree with them. ⠀

The most effective top producers are not afraid of constructive dissent from their team members. So encourage people to challenge your ideas and views. Don’t dismiss other people’s arguments out of hand. Instead, evaluate what is being said by others and be willing to change your mind if need be. If you decide to reject a suggestion or recommendation, be ready to explain the reasons for your decision. ⠀

By showing you will not decapitate people who disagree with you or hold grudges against them, you are opening up the possibility of genuine dialogue between you and your team members that can create game-changing outcomes.