Addressing Bias
I was in a workshop recently where they addressed peoples bias and how it can interfere with a managers perspective of their subordinates and worse off pass judgements where it is not correct. I don’t think i have to go into the issue that businesses will run into if something like that were to occur. I looked at myself and even though I try to stay away from it, you have to learn to accept that everyone has a bias. I did some soul searching and found that my bias is for people who are unwilling to use computers. Read that once more…. I don’t have a problem with people who are trying to use computers but I have an issue when someone comes up to me and tells me that they don’t want to take the effort to learn a computer. Worst off, they probably have not been on the Internet. I think nowadays organizations require that at the minimum you can operate a computer for many positions. I am willing to teach anyone who does not know how to use a computer because my past experience has given me patience to do so (not funny even though I know some of you know what I am talking about). I think my concern is others who have a position which requires them to use a computer but they will not learn it. That poses a problem and, unfortunately, the solution may be termination. However, I would never jump to that conclusion unless stubbornness became a factor. Understand and be realistic with yourself about your bias and address it. You will find that your decision making might be more tainted than you thought.

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