How to Overcome Bias in Decision Making | Guide 2025
We like to think we’re rational beings, making decisions based on logic and facts. But the truth is that our minds are full of prejudices, and these subconscious thoughts can work against us.
People make choices not only in the day but every single second. Our thoughts, buried beliefs, and prejudices impact our choices consciously or unconsciously.
Now think about the last decision you have made. It was about choosing a job, buying a car, or deciding what to cook for dinner. Ask yourself: were your choices based purely on facts? Or did feelings, assumptions, or past experiences subtly steer you?
But reality is completely immune to biases. Our brains, efficient but imperfect, make systematic errors in thinking that lead to flawed decisions. While bias helps us process information quickly, it can also cloud judgment.
Understanding these biases is the first step to making fairer and more accurate decisions. Let’s unpack your nugget box to recognize these sneaky biases and practical tips for fewer, fairer decisions.
Table of Contents
What is Bias? Why Does It Matter?
Biases aren’t inherently bad— they are a mental shortcut that helps us process information quickly. It’s the brain function that handles the overwhelming information we encounter daily.
While helpful in some cases—like reacting to danger—it can distort our decision-making in more complex situations. It saves time to make snappy judgments.
In decision-making, bias may ignore the important data and favor comfortable but unwise choices. Thinking with logic goes beyond and you miss out on innovative solutions.
The problem is that sometimes those assumptions are way off. Recognizing bias is the first step toward making more thoughtful, informed decisions.
Common Biases and How to Recognize Them
Let’s explore some of the most prevalent types of biases that creep into decisions:
- Confirmation Bias
This occurs when we actively seek out or give more weight to our existing beliefs. You ignore anything contradictory — even if it’s accurate.
Example: You’re convinced that investing in real estate is always profitable, so you only read articles that highlight success stories and ignore ones that discuss risks.
Tips to Overcome It
- Challenge your beliefs by consciously seeking out opposing views.
- Ask yourself, “What evidence would make me reconsider?”
- Follow the rule of “two sources”—find at least two credible, conflicting perspectives before deciding.
- Anchoring Bias
This bias causes us to rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive. It sets a mental “anchor” that tilts future decisions.
Example: A salesperson lists a jacket for $500 but later marks it down to $300. Even though $300 is still pricey. He feels like he’s getting a bargain.
Tips to Overcome It
- Set your criteria before seeing any options. For example, decide your budget range before shopping.
- Compare multiple sources and avoid basing decisions on a single number or fact.
- Overconfidence Bias
Many of us overestimate our knowledge or abilities in a certain area and make risky decisions. When a person’s subjective confidence in his judgment is greater than the objective accuracy of those judgments, the risk’s estimation breaks the reality.
Example: You take on a project at work without researching fully because you believe your experience will carry you through. But in the end, you can’t complete it.
Tips to Overcome It
- List your assumptions and test them. Are they based on facts or just gut feelings?
- Get feedback from someone with more expertise.
- Recency Bias
This happens when recent events influence your decisions. It makes them more significant than they are and gives us a better indication of the future.
Example: After reading about a medication’s rare side effect, you become hesitant to take it, despite overwhelming proof of its safety.
Tips to Overcome It
- Step back and review long-term data or trends.
- Ask, “Is this a recent event, or part of a consistent pattern?”
- Halo Effect
We allow one positive trait (like charm or appearance) to influence our overall judgment of a person or product.
Example: You hire someone because they seem confident, overlooking a lack of qualifications.
Tips to Overcome It
- Focus on specific criteria, such as skills and experience, rather than overall impressions.
- Create a checklist of qualities that truly matter for the decision at hand.
- Availability Heuristic
We tend to overestimate the likelihood of events based on how easily we can recall them. Whatever is coming to our mind quickly is right.
Example: If you’ve recently heard about a plane tragedy, you may overestimate the risks of flying, even if it’s statistically safer than driving.
Tips to Overcome It
- Look at actual data and statistics rather than relying on memory.
- Be aware of how media coverage can distort perceptions.
Practical Tips to Overcome Bias in Decision-Making
Now that you know what to watch for which type of bias comes to your mind? It’s time to explore how to combat these biases actively:
Tip #1: Pause and Reflect
Before making a decision, take a moment to pause and sleep on the decision. Ask yourself:
- What assumptions am I making?
- Am I considering all the relevant information?
- Could bias be influencing my choice?
Taking even a few minutes to reflect can bring clarity. Consult with experts you trust can help you without offending you. Don’t forget to reflect on past experiences (on similar scenarios). It would be beneficial to guide you in the right direction.
Tip #2: Use a Decision-Making Framework
Structured frameworks help eliminate guesswork and emotion-driven choices. Some popular methods include:
Pros and Cons Lists: Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of every decision. Plan out the best and worst-case scenarios for business decisions and choose the one that most benefits your company.
Decision Matrix: Rank your options based on key criteria, such as cost, convenience, or long-term impact. It will split one big decision into several chunks that can be rated independently.
Six Thinking Hats: A method where you approach the decision from six different perspectives—logic, emotions, creativity, etc. You explore situations and generate a creative idea to address them.
Tip #3: Gather Diverse Input
Bias thrives in echo chambers. Surrounding yourself with people who think differently can challenge assumptions and broaden your view.
Form diverse teams at work. Seek feedback from someone (media, people, reports, and books) with a different background or perspective. Encourage open dialogue where all viewpoints are welcomed.
If you’re limited to a certain group, you may fall prey to group thinking or availability heuristics based on the judgments of the most recent event.
You can expand your contacts, and expose yourself to different cultures or opinions to broaden your input. This way, you see the big picture and not close yourself to objective versions of things and people around you.
Step #4: Set Clear Goals and Criteria
Before making a decision, define your goals. What does success look like? What criteria are non-negotiable?
For example, if you’re job hunting, your criteria might include:
- Work-life balance
- Growth opportunities
- Company culture
Having a clear roadmap prevents you from being shaky by irrelevant factors. Staying mindful of your pain provides a helpful window into unconscious biases.
Step #5: Mindfulness and Self-Awareness
Mindfulness practices help you stay present and aware of your thoughts and emotions. When noticing anxiety or excitement during decision-making, pause and breathe.
Keep a decision journal. Write down your thoughts to identify patterns in your decision-making process. Regularly reflect on past decisions and what influenced them. Ask yourself: Is this one of my biases? Is my judgment warranted? How am I feeling?”
Final Thoughts
Bias is a natural part of our thinking, it doesn’t dominate our decisions. By becoming more informed about the common types of bias and following thoughtful tips, you can make fairer and goal-oriented choices.
It is important to understand that good intentions do not equal good decisions It’s not about making the right decision, we’re about making the next right decision. You’re one step closer to making better choices, every time you pause, reflect, and practice mindfulness
Next time you face a decision, ask yourself: “Am I being thoughtful, or is bias running the show?” With time, you build the habit of clearer, more intentional decision-making.