THE

100

PRINCIPLES OF HIRING ACCURACY

PRINCIPLE

#15
THE BEST WAY TO REMOVE BIAS IS WITH STRUCTURE
To remove bias from the hiring process, don't try to remove it from the people doing the hiring (impossible). Use structure to remove it from your hiring process instead (a sure bet).

THE BEST WAY TO REMOVE BIAS IS WITH STRUCTURE

Hiring right is hard because countless unconscious biases influence our decision-making.

Note these biases are countless (too many to count) and unconscious (we're blind to them).

Many companies mistakenly try to train these biases out of people.

While noble, this turns into the game of 'whack-a-mole'.

Every time you whack 1 bias down, another 2 pop up.

So what do we do?

We use Principle 15:

>DON'T try to remove bias from the people doing the hiring (impossible).

>DO remove bias from your hiring process with structure (possible & effective).

For example, take the bandwagon effect...

What's easier?

1) Train it out of people: Get everyone to not be influenced by others' opinions when evaluating a candidate.

2) Fix it with structure: Require that no individual can see anyone else's feedback on a candidate till they've submitted their scores.

The 1st approach is impossible; the 2nd is a sure bet.

To remove bias in hiring...

You can't ignore it.
You can't train it out of people.
You have to remove it with structure.