I Didn’t Expect This Reflection to Challenge How I See Myself, But It Did
When I first read the prompt about cognitive bias, I figured it would be an easy check-the-box reflection. I know how to manage teams, make decisions, lead projects. This wouldn’t be anything new. But then I sat with it. And it got under my skin in a way I didn’t expect.
Two biases came up for me: overconfidence bias and status quo bias. Neither felt like an exact match at first. I mean, I do question myself. I do adapt. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw subtle ways they might be showing up.
Overconfidence bias isn’t always loud. It can look like thinking I’ve weighed every angle when maybe I’ve just weighed the familiar ones. It shows up when I move fast, especially when I’m juggling a dozen things and leaning on experience to guide the way. Experience is a strength, but it can also make you think you’ve already got it figured out.
Then there’s status quo bias, not because I resist change, but because I’m loyal to things I’ve built. When I’ve poured energy into creating a system, a structure, a process, it’s hard to admit when it might not be serving us anymore. I don’t hold on because I’m stubborn. I hold on because I care.
I’m not writing this post with a clear answer or solution. I’m writing it as someone who’s learning to slow down, to listen more closely, and to invite in voices that stretch my perspective, even when they challenge the systems or strategies I believe in.
Leadership isn’t just about guiding others. It’s about noticing the quiet ways our own minds might be guiding us too. And asking, is this still the best path forward?
This post is part of my 🎀 Power in Pink: My MBA Leadership Journal series.
👉 Click here to view all posts in the series
