Definition of Bias: An Unfair Preference for or Dislike of Something

Return to Blogs

The following statements are from the white paper "Selecting Superior Performers Safely Under the Law" by Bill Bonnstetter, Chairman of the Board of Target Training International, Ltd.

Each of us sees the world from his or her own point of view. This view is influenced by how we value experience, knowledge, economics, aesthetics, altruism, power, and tradition. When we are confronted by a person who sees the world differently, these views could be called biases. 

Neither right nor wrong, nor good or bad, biases are simply a reflection of our personal viewpoints. Often this personal viewpoint is unknowingly injected into the hiring process, even when it is not relevant to a specific position or to the organization itself. When this happens, it creates a barrier – preventing us from selecting truly superior performers.

Today we have laws that keep us from acting on our biases as they relate to gender, age, and nationality, but there are still biases that get in the way. Many people are also unknowingly biased regarding experience, education, and intelligence, and these biases keep them from selecting superior performers. Moreover, people bring much more to the job than these factors – including their passions, beliefs, personal skills, and behaviors. Perhaps one of the most important personal skills is that of personal accountability, and most companies are not aware of its importance, nor do they have a way to measure it.

Call John Mathis at 610-458-3511

Return to Blogs

• Hiring (3)
• Retention (3)

• Assessments (10)
• Technology (2)

• Talent (2)
• Selection (5)