Breaking Free from Negative Bias: How to Overcome Self-Sabotage in the Workplace
Have you ever made a decision at work that didn't turn out as expected? Do you ever wonder why you made that decision in the first place? Often, the answer lies in your brain's flight or fight response.
As an adult, you perceive life through three lenses - values, desires, and experiences. Your brain collects experiences and builds beliefs that are simple, teachable, undeniable, unfalsifiable, and often have negative biases.
Negative bias refers to your tendency to remember traumatic experiences more than positive ones, recall insults more than praise, think about negative things more frequently than positive ones, and respond more strongly and quickly to negative stimuli than to equally positive ones.
This negative bias can lead to self-sabotaging stories in the workplace. For example, if you believe that you're not good enough, you may not take on new projects or responsibilities, even if you're qualified for them. This can hold you back from reaching your full potential and advancing in your career.
So, how can you combat negative bias and self-sabotaging stories in the workplace? Here are some tips:
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Recognizing and challenging negative biases can create a more positive work environment and improve your decision-making abilities. Remember, the flight or fight response is a natural response in your brain, but it doesn't have to control your actions and decisions.
UPDATE: Self-sabotaging stories are beliefs that we hold about ourselves or our abilities that limit our potential and can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors. Here are 10 examples, some your might recognize:
In conclusion, understanding flight or fight response and how negative bias and self-sabotaging stories impact your workplace can help you become a better leader and improve your overall performance. By being aware of your biases and beliefs, you can make more informed decisions and create a more positive work culture.