You've mapped your OCEAN personality profile, but there's another invisible force shaping your leadership decisions: cognitive biases. These are mental shortcuts your brain uses to make quick judgments.
Think of them as your mind's autopilot system.
Engagement Message
Can you think of a recent technical decision you made quickly without much analysis?
Your brain processes 11 million bits of information per second but can only consciously handle about 40. So it creates shortcuts—biases—to speed up decision-making.
These shortcuts work great for survival but can trick you in complex leadership situations.
Engagement Message
Why do you think quick mental shortcuts might cause problems for leaders?
Here's the challenge: biases feel like good judgment. When you experience confirmation bias (seeking information that confirms what you already believe), it feels like being thorough and smart.
You don't feel biased—you feel right.
Engagement Message
Have you ever looked for evidence to support a decision you'd already made?
Let's look at confirmation bias in action. Imagine you think remote work reduces productivity. You'll unconsciously notice every time a remote employee misses a deadline while overlooking when office employees do the same.
Your brain cherry-picks supporting evidence automatically.
Engagement Message
Can you think of a strong opinion you hold about your team?
Another common leadership trap is the halo effect. When someone excels in one area, you assume they're great at everything. Great algorithm designer? Must be great at system architecture too.
This bias leads to poor promotion and delegation decisions.
Engagement Message
Have you ever assumed someone's technical skills transferred perfectly to a new domain?
