Bias and the Dollar Store-What a Moment!

Have you ever had a moment of clarity at the oddest time? I sure do, and I had one of those moments today.

I had just gotten off the phone with someone who does house cleaning services (do not judge that I work from home and still seek support to keep the house tidy…lol!). I spoke with a lovely woman who answered all my interview questions with grace and ease. While I am waiting to speak with her references, I am 99% sure she is the one. Now, here comes my profession.

During the interview I asked about cleaning products, whether she brought her own or if she expected me to supply them. She shared that it was my choice, qualifying that she could bring her own supplies. She then provided an example that she uses bleach to clean spaces like bathrooms, but some of her customers do not prefer bleach use in their homes. Next, she shared the name of another product she uses and added that the product is purchased from the dollar store.  She went on to state how she loves the product because it smells great. She specified that the product was made by Clorox, but I still wanted to ensure it was a disinfectant, of which she confirmed. Here is what sparked me to write this article.  

I do not generally shop at dollar stores. I have patronized them from time to time, but Costco has become my store of choice. That said, when she mentioned “the dollar store” my insides started to feel uncomfortable and I questioned the effectiveness of the products they sold. I also questioned if I should hire her. Though the thought was fleeting, it was cause for deeper reflection about what I had experienced. It was in that moment that I became aware of an underlying bias I held about dollar stores that was simply not true. I also recognized that this bias, had I not checked myself, could have resulted in me making a poor decision. My bias was a store that sold less expensive products, even if it were a brand item, could not possibly offer the same quality of products I get at a brand store like Costco. Now, before you go judging me, I am not arrogant or high-minded. Like every human being on this planet, I judge, and sometimes those judgements are based in false narratives. This becomes problematic, however, when those judgements negatively impact others, including yourself.  Consider the following example:

Let’s say I was looking for someone to hire into a leadership position. I have two resumes on my desk. One of those folks attended an Ivy League college and the other graduated from an institution nobody knows except the people in that town and perhaps a few individuals in the area. If I dismiss the candidate who did not graduate from a “top box” school I am practicing unconscious (implicit) bias because I believe an excellent education only happens in prestigious institutions; thus, a person coming out of a non-prestigious institution is unqualified.

MYTH-BUSTER: Just like you can get excellent products at a dollar store, you can find excellent candidates at non-prestigious schools!   

Here are key points I think we could all glean from if we want to improve the quality of decisions we make and deal with our biases:

1.      Check our biases and hold ourselves immediately accountable! - I clearly held a bias about dollar stores that could have affected a hiring decision had I not immediately checked my thoughts and took appropriate action. (I wonder how many people we are passing up because we don’t do this?)

2.      Degreed or Not Degreed? - I am not saying a candidate should be degreed to lead. Experience should be a significant driver of your decision making. What I am saying is if you are hiring someone because you believe the name of the school automatically means they are a quality hire; I think there is much room for self-reflection. Did you know there are professors and professionals who teach at Ivy League schools who are also adjunct professors at schools most of us have never heard of?

In addition, what makes us believe the curriculum at non-prestigious institutions is less effective at preparing students for leadership or any other position? (I wonder how many times we have hired the school on the degree and not a qualified candidate?)

3.      We all Judge! - Depending on how it is used it could have detrimental results, like had I decided not to hire this woman because of where she sources her supplies. (I wonder how many of us are willing to look in the mirror and recognize that we have made bad judgements from time to time and are willing to take steps to change?)

Change is not easy, particularly when we have accepted something as true in our mind. When it’s true in our mind, everything in our inner being aligns our behaviors with the belief we hold true. If we want to change our behaviors, we will need to question and change our beliefs. If we want to question our beliefs to drive change, we will need to recognize the moments we are not at our best behaviors and do something about it. If you cannot recognize those moments, consider hiring a personal coach or attend facilitated training sessions with a practitioner that can partner with you in becoming your best self!

If you would like to chat more about this topic, feel free to email me at sabrina@progeny1.training or visit my website at www.progeny1.training.