TrainingBriefs® Why Understanding Cognitive Bias Matters

Cognitive bias is often described as a systematic error in thinking that affects how people perceive, interpret, and remember information. These biases often happen subconsciously and can influence decisions, judgments, and behavior in ways that aren’t always logical or objective. Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that our brains use to process information quickly. They're helpful in everyday decision-making but can lead to flawed reasoning when they oversimplify complex situations.

Cognitive biases matter because they can impact decision-making in work, relationships, and everyday life, affect hiring, leadership, and communication in the workplace, and influence how we handle conflict, assess risk, and solve problems. 

Understanding cognitive biases is the first step to overcoming them. It helps us think more critically, make better decisions, and approach situations with a clearer, more objective mindset.