Tag Archives: Behavioral consistency

Leveraging Bias

Everyone with a brain has some bias.  This can be unconscious (automatic or implicit) as discussed in yesterdays post.  Or you can be fully aware and elect to believe and act accordingly (or not).

For me having a bias is neither good nor bad, rather it is how you deal with it that is important.  For many bias is often thought of in negative terms.

If your behaviour resulting from personal bias is effective, because you make it so through thoughtful consideration, I see no fault.

Acting automatically on a unconscious bias  without analysis of the consequences, or a regard to results is when problems arise.  This usually creates negative consequences.

The consequences might be immediate or long term, impacting your relationships but probably, sticking to a bias when evidence strongly suggests otherwise does not lead to positive outcomes.

Self Awareness

Behaving with a high degree of self awareness is a good way to mitigate the risks created by. your potentially harmful bias.  You might not change or drop your bias, understanding it and behaving accordingly is all that’s needed.

For Example

You may have a bias to alternate sexual orientation.  Yet interacting respectively with all others (everyone is important) regardless of your bias, should be your chosen behaviour.

When your bias is conscious you can choose how to act.

Practicing consistent, repeatable and sustainable behaviors

Leaders behavior drives achievement.  What you do and say either directly or indirectly influences results.

Behavioral Maturity

Fully developed, full grown (i.e. mature) behaviors are generally founded on experience and exhibit the following traits:

  • Consistency – stakeholders know what to expect and are never surprised.  Whether they feel positive or negative about your actions,  you are much easier to collaberate with when your reactions have commonalty to them.
  • Repeatable – your actions are not special or superhuman.  An effective behavior works every time (in the appropriate circumstances).  If it is something you would not repeat, thats usually a good sign it is best not done in the first place.
  • Sustainable – you should be planning on leading for the long term and both what you do and say at any given point in time needs to stand the test of time.

Whats in it for you?

By very definition leadership is not a point in time activity.  Actions that get it done now, or stop gap an issue for the near term signal leadership is not at play.

When reviewing your own behaviors or seeking input from others always consider six month to one year durations at a minimum.  Inconsistencies you identify should not be ignored or cast aside as one time anomalies.

In fact the occassions you might not have behaved consistently define your behavior most.  These stand out in others view, it is what they remember the most about you.

On the whole your leadership behaviors might be supportive, collaberative, open and well communicated.  Unfortunately it is the times they were not that stand out.