We like to think of ourselves as rational thinkers, capable of weighing pros and cons and arriving at objective decisions. But the truth is, every one of us carries biases—mental shortcuts and ingrained perspectives that quietly shape our choices. These biases aren’t always bad. In fact, they’re part of how our brains handle the overwhelming amount of information we face daily. The problem arises when unrecognized biases influence important decisions—especially in our work, relationships, or leadership roles.
The good news? Biases can be managed, and the first step is to recognize them.
What Are Biases, Really?
Biases are automatic patterns of thinking that develop based on our experiences, environment, culture, and even biology. They help us navigate the world quickly, but they can distort reality. When we’re unaware of these patterns, they show up in subtle ways: who we trust, how we interpret data, which risks we ignore, and how we respond to change.
Why It Matters
Unchecked biases can lead to missed opportunities, poor hiring decisions, group think, broken communication or misjudging risk or value. By becoming more self-aware, you don’t eliminate your biases—but you reduce their control over your thinking.
Five steps to Identify Your Own Biases
Slow Down Your Thinking
Many biases emerge when we make snap decisions. If you find yourself saying “it just feels right,” take a pause. Ask:
- Why do I feel this way?
- What assumptions am I making?
- What information am I ignoring?
This pause can expose a bias before it takes over.
Watch for Repeating Patterns
Do you tend to favor certain types of people in team meetings? Are you consistently more skeptical of unfamiliar ideas? Look for habits in your judgments and ask if they might be rooted in:
- Similarity bias (favoring those like us)
- Confirmation bias (seeking information that supports what we already believe)
- Status quo bias (preferring things to stay the same)
Keeping a decision journal can help you spot these patterns over time.
Seek Contradictory Feedback
One of the fastest ways to surface hidden biases is to ask for perspectives that challenge yours. Encourage others to play devil’s advocate, and truly listen without defensiveness. Questions like:
- “What might I be missing here?”
- “How could someone else see this differently?”
…can open the door to new insights.
Explore the Science of Bias
Learning about common cognitive biases—such as anchoring, sunk cost fallacy, or availability heuristic—makes it easier to catch them in yourself. Once you know the names and patterns, they’re easier to recognize in real-time.
Some useful resources include:
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Harvard’s Implicit Association Test (IAT)
- Podcasts like “Hidden Brain” or “You Are Not So Smart”
Diversity Your Inputs
Surround yourself with different perspectives—across backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences. Read widely. Collaborate broadly. The more varied your input, the harder it is for a single bias to dominate your thinking.
Final Thought
Identifying your biases isn’t a one-time checklist. It’s a continuous process of reflection, humility, and growth. The more aware you become, the more intentional your decision-making can be—especially when the stakes are high.
It’s not about being perfectly objective. It’s about being consciously imperfect—aware that we’re all works in progress, and choosing to think just a little more carefully.
The goal of identifying your biases isn’t to feel guilty—it’s to become more empowered. When you’re aware of what shapes your thinking, you gain the ability to reshape it. And in today’s world of complexity and noise, that kind of clarity is a powerful advantage.
Read more about common biases that derail decision making here in my article: “The Bias Trap: How Unconscious Assumptions Hijack Your Decisions“.