Most of us like to believe we see things clearly. The reality is, none of us really do. Our brains are full of shortcuts and hidden preferences that make decisions quicker, but they also create blind spots. Just like the blind spot in your car mirror, you cannot see them on your own, but they affect how you drive your career and relationships.
Harvard research on implicit bias has shown that more than 80% of people carry unconscious preferences. These tiny, unnoticed biases can shape who we trust in a meeting, how we rate a teammate’s performance, or even who we give opportunities to. Left unchecked, they quietly limit our growth, damage relationships, and sometimes hold us back from becoming better leaders.
The good news is that blind spots can be discovered. And once you start spotting them, you become more aware, kinder, and much more effective in the workplace. Think of it like fitness. A few small but consistent exercises will strengthen your ability to notice and manage your hidden biases.
This was one of the exercise that my Mentor asked me to do years back and I still do it and I’m still improving and evolving.
Let me put some uncomfortable judgements that we make.
Everyday Bias in Action
1. “On the highway, I see a car with a flat tire. There are a bunch of men standing there. They must know how to change it, they don’t need my help.”
💭 Why do we assume ability based on gender? A skill isn’t stamped on someone’s face.
2. “She’s just back from maternity leave. I won’t give her any critical projects right now.”
💭 Are you protecting her, or denying her the chance to prove herself? Assumptions dressed as kindness can stall careers.
3. “You’re a woman and don’t know how to cook? You must be joking.”
💭 Who decided cooking is coded into gender? Talent has nothing to do with chromosomes.
4. “Why do you need long paternity leave? There’s family at home to take care of things.”
💭 Caregiving is not gender-assigned. Denying fathers this role reinforces the very bias we’re trying to break.
5. “He said no to the team party? But he talks so well in the office! What an ego.”
💭 Sociable at work doesn’t mean extroverted after hours. Respecting boundaries matters as much as teamwork.
In the comments I would like to hear some examples that you spotted in yourself or heard around you. In the next article, I will share some exercise that I have been practicing. For us humans, this is a conscious effort that we have to make in our daily life. We are not perfect. But we can be better.
