Diversity Done Right

2Say It Isn't So: How Bias Overrides Evidence

Welcome to the Bias Zone

It is a beautiful, sunny day. I am driving to work, about 40 miles from my Chicago residence in Hyde Park, a beautiful neighborhood that embodies the feel of a “small town” in the big city. Hyde Park is well-known for being the home to President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their family. It also boasts beautiful architecture, a popular science museum, great restaurants, and much more. My office was in the northern suburbs, a global provider of human capital and management consulting services. It operated 500 offices in 120 countries providing consulting, outsourcing, and insurance brokerage services. Its headquarters were in Lincolnshire, Illinois, next to Lake Forest, a wealthy Chicago suburb, and one of the richest cities in the world.

As I am driving, I look to my right and see the border of lush and beautiful green trees with houses peeking through. I look to my left and see other cars racing along the Edens Expressway with drivers focused on getting to their destinations, as am I. Not a care in the world … well, not at this point.

I get off on my exit, and suddenly I enter into the “Bias Zone.”

Immediately my senses are heightened because someone is following me. What did I do? What could be happening? Lights begin flashing on top of the car behind me, and simultaneously I hear through a speaker, “Pull over” … As you might guess, what is taking place has nothing to do with the speed ...