How do I avoid similarity bias in the workplace?

Have you ever felt comfortable around a stranger at work and didn't know why?

Could it be because they look similar to you or because you know they're in the same art class as you?

That feeling of being drawn to someone similar to you is called similarity bias.

However, just because something is familiar to you doesn't mean that it's good.

Avoiding similarity bias at work can help you meet diverse people and ensure that everyone feels included.

Similarity bias is the unconscious decision to favor people who are similar to you physically, in background, or in experience.

Examples of similarity bias:

• Physical traits: race, ethnicity, eye color, height, etc.

• Background: growing up in the same city, or having the same class upbringing.

• Experience: going to the same college, participating in the same recreational clubs, or volunteering for similar causes.

When you meet people, there's a lot of information to take in. Our brains use mental shortcuts — they find the fastest ways to process information.

Similarity bias is the result of System 1 and System 2 thinking. System 1 and 2 thinking are mental shortcuts that help us with decision making.

System 1 thinking relies on our first judgments and impressions. This first snap judgement allows for quick thinking, fast reactions, and decisions.

System 2 thinking relies on our ability to analyze and process information. This allows us to think deeper and critically about the information presented to us. This can lead to more thoughtful and/or intentional interactions and responses.

Management

Recruitment

• Pool of applicants: location of recruitment, employee referrals.

  • Similarity bias example: only sourcing applicants from the same college.

• During interviews: getting to know the applicants.

  • Similarity bias example: Finding out that you and an applicant share the same culture.

Promotion

• Relationships: established professional and friendly relationships between internal candidates and those involved in the decision-making process.

  • Similarity bias example: Giving preferential treatment for promotion to a friend at work compared to another candidate.

Employees

Group settings

• Teams: immediately gravitating towards specific people within the team and not others.

  • Similarity bias example: You prefer team members who are around the same age as you.

• Conversations: Finding out things in common with your coworker(s).

  • Similarity bias example: During ice-breakers, you and a co-worker learn you're both from the same hometown.

  

  Individuals

• Perspectives: Giving more weight to a co-worker who has a similar perspective to you.

  • Similarity bias example: You believe that your college has the best education. You only listen to advice from colleagues who attended the same college.

Imagine you joined a new workplace. You're curious to know if similarity bias is affecting your team.

Which of the examples below show similarity bias? Select all that apply:

A. Your coworker presents a great solution in a meeting. You support your coworker's solution, while offering constructive feedback on their idea.

B. A male teammate often compliments the ideas of other men on the team. When women on the team bring up their ideas, he's polite but critical.

C. Two of your teammates have known each other since middle school. They work well together but rarely communicate with others.

D. Senior employees have a lot of say in team decisions, but junior employees are often left out.

Examples of similarity bias at work include:

• Companies may overlook a more qualified candidate/lose talent

• Lack of diversity

• Loss of different perspectives

• Promotes cliques (in and out groups)

• Negative work culture

• Can lead to "groupthink"

Real-world example of similarity bias' effects:

You just started a new job. You're introduced to your new team members and begin making small talk. While talking, you find out that half of your team belongs to the same recreational gym you go to. They immediately welcome you with open arms!

As you work together, you notice that while the team members who go to the gym are friendly with non-gym members, they don't really listen to the suggestions of non-gym members. You try to support their opinions, but the gym members don't see the point.

This action has caused friction between the group, decreasing the team's ability to work together.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Fight through System 1 thinking and use System 2 thinking instead. Be conscious of your bias. Take note of demographics within your department. See if similarity bias has already taken root in the workplace.

Ask the right questions!

If you work in management, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where are the applicants coming from?

2. Does this job tend to attract a certain gender, race, etc., or is this bias in the workplace?

3. What are the company's hiring practices?

If you are an employee, ask yourself:

1. Have I made an effort to use System 2 thinking? (being more thoughtful)

2. What can I do to diversify my perspectives?

3. What are the company's policies for biases?

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

As a manager:

• Diversify where you source applicants from.

• Use skill assessments and other measurement tools to evaluate candidates.

• Promote and seek diversity within the workplace.

As an employee:

• Train interviewers on structured interviews and other techniques.

• Take bias training, if offered.

• Practice empathy.

• Utilize company anti-bias policies.