The more I study humans the more convinced I am that we are not the rational thinkers we think we are.
We are, mostly, predictably irrational. We just are…
Here’s another example that I’ve uncovered in the book, Scorecasting, by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim. According to their research, we have what modern psychology has termed an “omission bias.” Whether we’re talking about a referees “no call” late in the game or a CEO’s tendency to NOT hold people accountable for “failing to ACT,” we tend to overfocus on errors of commission. Why is this a big deal for you and for your leadership team?
Why?
Because most leaders have a bias toward omission. This provides the team with an “incentive” to NOT ACT. And, in “moments of truth” these individuals will have a bias to wait and get one more piece of analytics before making a decision. Opportunity, remember, favors the bold. True, but rare.
Today, understand your tendency. You and I have a tendency toward an “omission bias.” In a world of ever expanding opportunity AND an ever narrowing window, we need a few teams with a bias toward ACTion. Actually, your survival just might depend on Y-O-U overcoming this tendency.
Don’t over think the ramifications of this rant. Please, don’t. Instead, remember, what Telamon taught young Alexander the Great. He taught him how to…
ACT.
Done so….
BUILT TO LEAD 