Are you falling into the trap of recency bias?

Recency bias is basically our tendency to put way too much emphasis on what’s happened lately when we’re making decisions. I came across a blog post that explains the bias as basically focused on how our brains prioritize recent stuff. Think about it: in the workplace, this can mean totally overlooking someone’s awesome track record just because they messed up a few times recently.

But here’s the deal: everyone has bad days, weeks, even months! Sometimes I personally feel like I may even be having a bad year… Life throws curveballs. Maybe they’re going through something personal, trying to figure out a new role, or just feeling a little blah about work. It happens to all of u!

Before you freak out, take a step back and look at the big picture. Think about their entire performance history, what they’ve brought to the team, and their potential to grow.

Ask yourself:

• What’s their overall track record like?
• Have they consistently been rad in the past?
• What are they really good at? What are their weaknesses?
• What kind of support or help do they need from you to get back on track?

The best leaders I’ve known focus on helping their people develop and grow. When we look at performance holistically and see the potential of each employee, we truly create a work environment where everyone feels supported and can succeed.