Recent research shows that when we’re hiring employees we have an innate pull or bias toward the person with potential– potential trumps actual experience. We seem to be fascinated by the promise of success and value it over a history of actual success.
Potential is, of course, potentially valuable, but experience shows that experience is worth paying attention to also. How can we be sure we’re giving experience the attention it deserves? If we have a tendency to think or judge in a certain way, how do we keep that bias in check? One clear technique is to ask questions that force you to pay attention to the bias. Don’t let things that are in the background nudge you unawares. Continue Reading