The Fundamental Attribution Error
Like many of us, I’m a work in progress. There are more days than I care to admit that I skin my knee. Recently, I found myself falling into a thinking trap, the fundamental attribution error. This cognitive bias, if left unchecked, can significantly influence our mindset.
We all tell stories. Any story left uninterpreted is often misinterpreted. The fundamental attribution error occurs when we misinterpret others' Show Up stories. This is when we overemphasize personal character or intentions in explaining someone else's behavior rather than considering external factors. For instance, if a colleague misses a deadline, we might too quickly assume they are disorganized or careless, overlooking potential external influences like a family emergency or unexpected work overload.
The fundamental attribution error isn't just a social blunder; it impacts how we lead and follow, eroding team dynamics, fostering misjudgments, and opening the door to a toxic work culture. Allowing this error to persist creates an environment where the 'brilliant jerk' can thrive. Here are three practical tips I've found effective in avoiding this pitfall:
BE REFLECTIVE: I came across a great quote, which some would say is the precursor of the golden rule: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” This ancient wisdom encourages us to reflect on our actions toward others. Before jumping to conclusions about a person’s actions, consider all possible external factors that might have influenced their behavior. This pause can help you avoid making immediate, biased judgments.
BE CURIOUS: Engage directly with individuals to gather more context about their actions. Open-ended questions such as "Can you unpack that for me?" or "I’m curious, what do you see as the biggest challenges?" can illuminate details you may not have considered, promoting a clearer, more empathetic understanding.
BE EMPATHIC: Focus on adopting a mindset that looks for external explanations just as often as internal ones. Developing your EQ is a powerful way to read the room more effectively and understand the external factors that might be at play.
Consciously applying these strategies can help us gain a more accurate and productive understanding of marketplace behaviors. Overcoming the fundamental attribution error improves our leadership and followership and propels us toward more compassionate and effective people practices.
Let’s inspire each other to look beyond the surface, to lead and follow with intellectual humility and curious empathy, and to promote a marketplace where understanding and collaboration thrive.