Eliminating bias in our work relations

fishermen who use manual boats.
They tend to focus on areas, which are easier to access and in most cases that are less susceptible to storms.
Most have stuck to their traditional hunting grounds despite changes in wind patterns largely due to the fact that mindsets do not quickly adjust to changing environments.
Resultantly is the tendency among fishermen to concentrate on fishing at sights they previously caught a lot of fish before at the expense of prospecting for new sights. This trend has been repeated every year.
In addition most fishermen have also developed a liking for certain rubbers at the expense of good rubbers at the time.
Many reasons have been advanced for lack of productivity at some old good fishing spots.
Some of these include overfishing, changes in weed patterns and in prey spots.
Most fishermen do not have a scientific approach to fishing because they rarely use their skills of positive association to make a decision on fishing spots.
Emotions about the past success normally take precedence over logic and present fishing condition.
How often have you seen people hanging on to businesses which are on a decline without even modifying their products or repositioning the products to meet the new market conditions?
On Workers’ Day a mathematics tutor that we had gone fishing with had an interesting discussion with a parent who was looking for a teacher for her child.
“Before I bring my child to your college I would like to know whether you have taught at a private school or not,’’ said the parent. Her son was doing Form Three at one of the elite schools in Marondera.
“I have never taught at a private school,” answered the teacher.
“Then I am not sure whether you are good enough to teach my child,” continued the parent.
“I am afraid not,” said the teacher. “With all due respect would you mind telling me the teachers’ college, which specialises in training teachers for elite schools only in Zimbabwe.”
“There are no teachers’ colleges which focuses in training teachers for elite school in Zimbabwe,” was her response.
“Well said. Thank you. Teachers for elite schools, mission schools and Government schools are trained under one roof. I rest my case,” replied the teacher.
This is one of many examples of how people demonstrate bias even without evaluating the circumstances of people.
Indeed, some biases have been passed from generations to generations through words and deeds.
Many authors wrote extensively on decision-making processes so as to try and bring rationality in the decision-making processes in many companies.
However, inherent biases among the decision-makers still interfere with those processes.
Sources of Bias
Everyone of us is born free of bias. However, bias is acquired from the environment.
Our parents, social groups, schools, political setups and religious have a strong bearing on our biases.
Fear factor
Biases grow out of generalisations or fear. Fear induces bias. Fear arises from what has happened in the past, which we do not want to experience again. Fear due to bad experience in the past or just hearsay.
Ignorance
Lack of adequate information to enable astute decision-making can result in bias.
A manager takes anything that comes along without being inquisitive. Traditionally, men missed great opportunities to marry pretty women (vanaku) because they were believed to be either prostitutes or witches. To date, there is no empirical evidence to prove this belief.
Racial/tribal biases
We all have biases against certain tribes and races of people that we do not think highly of and the tendency is to paint people with the same brush regardless of individual differences.
Some Shona people think lowly about Ndebeles, Malawians, Mozambicans and so forth.
Interesting to note is if one goes to Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique some of their citizens also demonstrate similar biases against the Zezurus or Makwerekwere (the words they use to refer to Shonas).
Some white people think lowly about Asians and indigenous people and vice versa.
Education-related biases
Some educated people segregate against the less educated ones. My late friend always complained against how his fellow golfers at Shumba Golf Club in Harare discriminated against him because he did not hold a degree.
During our days at the University of Zimbabwe students studying towards engineering degrees used to look down upon those doing arts degrees, those doing business studies used to look down upon those in the political science departments and so forth.
It used to appear as if one has attained a certain degree, one is guaranteed of succeeding in life.
I agree that attaining a degree is a stepping stone to achieving a reasonably successful life.
However, success is hugely depended on how one fully utilise oneself in the industry in terms of on job ability as well as one’s social interaction abilities with various stakeholders interfacing with the company.
Religion-related biases
Though spiritual beliefs are an integral part of human existence religious differences have been used to sow divisions among people.
Some authors argue that religion is among the major sources of conflict throughout the world though its supposed to encourage people to love one another and not kill one another.
Notable conflicts are among Muslims, Christians and traditionalists in some countries.
People are losing their lives as a result of hostile conflicts at the hands of people with different religious backgrounds.
Sad to note that even among Christians there are serious differences hugely caused by different strategies employed by different sects.
Protestants look down upon Pentecostals and Pentecostals look down upon Vapositori and so forth.
These religious differences unfortunately cascade right down to the workplaces where certain decisions are affected by irrational religious affiliations.
Status in the society
People with positions of influence such as politicians, wealthy people and priests tend to command a sympathetic ear than people of less influential positions.
At times good ideas from less influential people are sacrificed at the altar of status.
Sexual orientation
Some people are segregated against because of their sex. Some women are overlooked in certain jobs and during promotion because of their sex.
Physical conditions
People with physical challenges are in most cases not given equal employment opportunities in the job market.
During the selection processes people with physical disabilities are often no selected though they might be able to deliver the services required by the employer.
Overcoming bias
It is important to acknowledge your bias as a first major step in dealing with that bias.
Suppose your known preference is German cars, you can allow yourself to evaluate other options fairly.
Seeking knowledge and wisdom
A manager is required to carry out research so as to establish facts before making decisions.
Rising above sectoral differences.
Our personal relationship with people across social, economic and political divide defines how we relate to them.
It is in some instance normal to be biased because our parents/guardians/religious leaders/political leaders always try to manipulate people by magnifying the differences between people for their own selfish interests.
It is the prerogative of management to be conscious of their biases and formulate simple policies and procedures, which enables them to overcome bias in their decisions.
The challenge for managers is to rise above these sectoral and religious differences in their decision making process.
Loving people.
We need to develop to a stage where we view people as opportunity providers not commodities.
For instance, people provide labour and markets. People give you ideas. Our biases deter us from fully utilising the opportunities presented to us by people.
Integrated approach to business
decisions
At times meritocracy is sacrificed for racially considerations in appointing senior executives in international and local companies and in most cases with disastrous consequences.
Finding new ground
Fellowshipping with enemies
One thing my grandfather used to tell me is that once a man discovers that his friend is bedding his wife, it is no longer urgent to deal with the transgressor.
In fact, the plaintiff should not let the defendant know that he is aware of his/her behaviour.
Rather it is time to ensure that you find areas where you can co-operate with him.
The transgressor is likely to deliver more with the hope of covering up for his transgressions.
We are afraid of dealing with our enemies not because they threaten us continuously but because we continually hold on to the past.
We let our past hurts determine our future relationships with the transgressor. In business our current interest must take precedence over any past hurts.
An integrated approach to company issues.
One of the major challenges facing organisations today is departmentalisation of issues.
Management of various departments do not take an integrated approach to solving challenges facing companies.
Managers in marketing are not interested in accounting-related issues just as managers in accounting are not interested in understanding production issues and so on.
The managers suffer from a bias caused by specialisation known as silo mentality.
Total elimination of bias tendencies is difficult to achieve, however, it can be reduced to levels, which cannot affect decision- making.