Through experience, I learned that team members' biases are more critical than the team leader's. For the leader, bias is mostly unconscious, but it could be informational, operational, or attitude for the team. Therefore, it is not easy just to call the team to be 'objective'. Firstly, the source of bias must be identified. It is equally important to characterize the trend of this bias, whether there are many individual biases or just one and collectively. Also, it is useful to analyze the possible impact on the decision-making process. Is it affecting certain stages or the whole process? Diversification of data sources is useful to overcome informational biases. Bias can be infectious, so leaders must be good examples of objectivity.

Addressing biases in strategic planning requires tact and a focus on objectivity. 📌 Begin by fostering awareness—highlight the impact of biases on decision-making without singling anyone out. 📌 Encourage data-driven discussions, using evidence and analytics to guide planning rather than personal perspectives. 📌 Facilitate diverse input from the team to counteract individual biases and broaden viewpoints. 📌 Introduce frameworks like SWOT analysis to focus on facts and goals. 📌 Privately, mentor the biased team member to recognize and mitigate their assumptions. By promoting an open, objective environment, you can align the team toward sound, strategic decisions.

We have biases of many kinds. Strategic planning is a space where biases can have a harmful impact, as this process gathers thousands of data points and relies on hundreds of decisions. Cross-functional teams, including field professionals, provide less biased contributions as they integrate different expertise, are knowledgeable on the operations, and can contemplate solutions through different lenses. Clarity is crucial to both the pursued goals and all the assumptions underlying strategic decisions and planning because they are the most prone to biases. Keeping track of goals, detailed objectives, and assumptions will help make evidence-based decisions and adjustments.

1. Awareness and Education Training Programs & Workshops and Seminars 2. Structured Decision-Making Processes Checklists and Frameworks & Step-by-Step Procedures 3. Encouraging Diverse Perspectives Cross-Functional Teams & Devil’s Advocate 4. Data-Driven Decision-Making Data Analysis Tools & Evidence-Based Approaches 5. Mindfulness and Reflective Practices Mindfulness Training & Reflection Sessions 6. Feedback and Accountability Feedback Loops & Decision Audits 7. Slow Down the Decision-Making Process Deliberate Delays & Scheduled Breaks