Blinded By Bias: Working Together For Innovation
This week's letter takes a look at how our individual biases can prevent us from understanding different perspectives and restrict us from engaging in constructive conversations.
Comment sections across the internet are filled with people who claim to advocate for a better, fairer world, whilst simultaneously shaming and shutting down anyone who might have an alternate point of view.
Join me as I explore this concept with the hopes of helping us to understand what causes us to be so protective, and how we can overcome it.
Protecting Our Identity
I use the term "identity" here to mean the way we present ourselves to others.
We've been constructing our identities based on media and communications for a very long time. However, the widespread use of the internet, social media and online communities has created a new problem.
As we embed ourselves into tribes filled with like-minded folks, we inevitably create an echo chamber, leading to intense, constant confirmation bias. The ideals and beliefs that we project are returned to us by approving tribe members, reinforcing our existing identities.
This leaves very little room for considering different points of view, thus causing us to become protective.
This, in my opinion, is one of the reasons why we become so defensive when someone challenges our stance on a subject.
Anonymity and physical distance exacerbate the problem on social media, where people might behave more impulsively or aggressively than they would in person.
Let's have a quick look at why we react emotionally and irrationally to things, instead of in a calm and rational matter.
Thinking, Fast & Slow
One of my favourite books on the psychology of bias is "Thinking, Fast & Slow" by Noble Prize winner Daniel Kahneman.
The book introduces two modes of thinking that dominate the way we process information:
System 1 (Fast Thinking)
This mode is automatic, instinctive, and emotional. It's what we use for rapid decisions and judgments, often relying on heuristics or "rules of thumb," and it's where many cognitive biases occur.
System 2 (Slow Thinking)
This is the more deliberate, logical, and conscious mode of thinking. It takes more effort and is used in analytical and complex problem-solving.
You may be familiar with the famous Zig Ziglar quote:
"People don't buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons." - Zig Ziglar
That's why when you get home after buying those $200 shoes you might feel some buyer's remorse.
Both systems are useful and important, but if we allow system 1 (fast thinking) to take the wheel, we will find ourselves continuously responding to situations in an emotional and irrational manner.
We Need To Work Together
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together" - African Proverb
What if we stopped seeing each other as the enemy?
What if a difference of opinion was an exciting opportunity for a fresh perspective?
Our goal should be one of understanding. We don't always have to agree; that's impossible. But we can at least respect each other's opinions and be open to learning new things.
Together we can achieve greatness. Here are a few tips to help us become less defensive and more collaborative.
1. Use "Slow Thinking"
If you want to engage in productive and constructive discourse on any topic that matters to you, then I encourage you to practice slow thinking.
Your initial reaction to someone's response might be filled with emotion. Acknowledge it, let it pass, and then take the time to process and consider what they have to say.
2. Listen To Understand
Have you ever caught yourself not actually listening to the other person, and just waiting for your turn to speak? I know I have.
Don't be so quick to want to speak. There is more power in listening.
Be conscious of the present moment and capture everything that is being shared with you. In this way, your response will be considered, thoughtful and relevant.
3. Lead With Compassion & Empathy
Give the other person the benefit of the doubt.
It's easy, especially online, to misinterpret communications. Try to consider things from the other person's perspective. Give it an honest chance and who knows what you might learn.
4. Big Problems, Require Lots of Small Solutions
There is no single silver bullet that will solve these epic problems we face.
As much as we like to think that our software, charity, thesis, or protest will be the one thing that changes the world, the reality is that change will happen incrementally and require a vast collection of niche solutions woven together to create a masterpiece.
This is why we need diverse skill sets and perspectives so we can approach problems from every angle and develop better holistic solutions.
5. It's Not About Us
At the end of the day, it's not even about us.
While we argue over which learning management system (LMS) is superior, or which company has the bigger market share, there are people out there that don't have access to basic education.
Try to keep the bigger picture in focus and don't sweat the little things.
Weekly Conversation Starter
What's one thing that helps you to understand someone elses point of view, even if you disagree with it? Share your answer in the comments.