Question

Decision-making, sustainability, values & ethics

1. What are cognitive biases, and how do they shape (affect) leader–follower relations? Give examples.

Answer 1

Cognitive biases, shaping (affecting) leader-follower relations
Cognitive biases refer to systematic errors in the perspective, feelings, and drawing an incorrect conclusion. The modern business environment has become more complex, and in such a work environment, cognitive biases are those phenomenons that could hardly be avoided. They affect judgments and decision making.
The occurrences of these unconscious biases are obvious the business processes such as in the recruitment and performance reviews, superior decision-maker authority taking advantage of their power while discriminating against others.
Some of the cognitive biases that shape the leader-follower relations are as follows:
Affinity bias
That is related to the favoritism and is seen in the decision making of hiring as well as promoting others with similarities. The demographic minorities are the most disadvantaged of these biases. It affects the perspective of the workforce about their leaders.
Fundamental attribution
It refers to the tendency of believing that what an individual reflects, he or she is the same. In this case, the leaders do not consider the situational factors and judge behaviors of followers and think that it is part of his behavior that is not changeable and limited. If an employee comes late in office more than he is allowed, the leaders habitually think that he is lazy or careless, but it could be an emergency in their life and do not even give a chance to explain. This decision makes feel employees disappointed that their leaders do not understand their personal needs.
Confirmation bias
This is related to the human tendency for seeking out the information that supports leaders' existing beliefs and perspectives. If a leader made his mind that what he or she thinks is only the best decision, in this sense, they disregarded the opinion and feedbacks of others, and this avoids the innovative ideas and solution by the followers, so it often makes employees feel isolated and disrespected.