Comments on: Just Get Over It

By: Karla

Karla — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:40:01 +0000

Such an excellent example of the phenomena we are all prey to. Being aware allows you to ‘check’ your bias… which is a good thing for any Nancy job seekers that come across your desk =)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:47:00 +0000

Karla, it's funny you mention it, I've had a similar situation in my past. My Ex Husband's first wife was named "Nancy." I used to say to my girlfriends, "I've never met a Nancy I like...I think it's a cursed name." It's silly, and yet, I held a bias. It's the opposite of the halo effect. May I should call it the pitch fork effect. I've since met some wonderful people named Nancy...but to be honest, it was an irrational bias that prevented me from giving all the Nancy's a fair chance.

By: karlaporter

karlaporter — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:07:25 +0000

@jenileedeal Thanks for your visit and comment. What you said is so true… it takes broad shoulders.

By: jenileedeal

jenileedeal — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:10:32 +0000

Thanks for the insightful article! To add another layer, HR not only has to deal with personal biases, but also the perceived biases of management and clients (for service-oriented businesses). It seems to me that in all cases the solution is the same. That is, HR must put any biases or perceived biases aside, regardless of circumstances.

By: karlaporter

karlaporter — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:50:14 +0000

Shennee - When our mind plays tricks on us we have to be trickier! I see a faithful reader award in your future :-)

pasmuz - You hit the proverbial nail on the head "this is not my personal life; this is the workplace & it's about the work." Also, you did the right thing at that blackball place... I would have done just the same. I have 0 tolerance for certain things.

Margo Rose - Ugh.... you mean there is a 3rd way to spell it? Deep breath........

By: Margo Rose

Margo Rose — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:40:23 +0000

Karla, it's so funny that you write about this topic. I used to feel the same way about people named "Nancy." The reason is pointless to discuss, but the bottom line is that certain names can evoke psychological reactions based on memory. There are some incredible Nancys in the world, just as there are Reynahs. I hired a Renah when I owned my own business. She turned out to be the best employee I ever had. Thanks for writing this post. As always, you know how to bring a message home.

Your twitterpal,

@HRMargo Margo Rose http://hrmargo.com

By: pasmuz

pasmuz — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:32:15 +0000

Karla, I just did a draft for my blog on this similar subject. (I had a dream about vampires last night that inspired it.) Personal bias is something every HR person struggles with. We are still human after all. My guess is that the biggest struggle for HR is people naturally like people who like them, & dislike those who dislike us. I always move through this by reminding myself: this is not my personal life; this is the workplace & it’s about the work.
The worst case of personal bias that I ever experienced was not mine, but someone else’s. I worked for someone that had a reputation for blackballing internal candidates. The reasons were never spoken. It didn’t matter if they had the KSA’s. Solution: moved my employment elsewhere.

By: karlaporter

karlaporter — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:50:14 +0000

By: Margo Rose

Margo Rose — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:40:23 +0000

By: pasmuz

pasmuz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:32:15 +0000