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Bias about bias

Three hours worth.  A workshop on conscious bias that I sat through (without bias I might add).  Conducted by a consulting company it seems to tout the need to coach executives who apparently may have some.  Bias that is and not be aware of it.  Now merely having one to me does not signify anything meaningful.  Its like drawing attention to the fact that you have a colon.  Or an amygdala.  In fact the amygdala, a small gland in the matter that constitutes our brain plays a protagonist role in the whole concept of biases.

It seems our instinct for snap judgement comes from this little gland secreting a bunch of chemicals and helping with decision making.  That decision is a result of some deep seated bias.  When we see a bunch of solidly built dudes without a shirt one might think biker gang member or a street tough.  Add tattoos to the mix and our brain further goes on high alert.  These are examples of bias.

The whole point of a bunch of slides and some rather grainy videos was to highlight the fact that we need to inhale before sounding off and pausing before exploding with an opinion is usually beneficial to the exploder.

All is well with this advice but of course when its crunch time its fight or flight.  Linger and you might not live long to pause again.

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