My Own Bias Taught Me A Lesson
Jen Ferguson
Enabling Sales Excellence: Empowering Sellers for Success | Ex-Salesforce | Co-Author, Heels to Deals ?? | DEIA Champion
Let me tell you a story about someone who is an ally. I’ve come to respect and be grateful for over the years.?
I’m one of the founding members of RevGenius. Right now, that seems like a million years ago but it was 2020. ?? One of the other members wanted to do some round tables and put out a request. During that time I was building my brand and was in my ‘yes’ phase.?
You ever see the movie, Yes Man? Where Jim Carey decides to say yes to everything to see what opportunities come his way. That’s exactly what I decided.
For this round table, chosen along with three white middle aged men. I rolled my eyes, my bias showing, and decided to do my research.
Enter David Masover. Author of a Salesman’s Guide to Dating. My judgement came out full force. My assumptions on who he was as a person. I went over to his podcast and noted all the men who joined him. Now my thoughts reinforced. I was dreading this round table. My commitment to doing everything and meeting more people was strong.
I did the round table. The gentlemen were charming.
When I had an opportunity to ask David a question, I asked about the lack of diversity on the podcast. He responded simply, it hadn’t occurred to him. That he was interviewing Director level and up and went to his network. He was open to introductions, so receptive. Surprised but delighted, I immediately started making some introductions to fabulous women. I must say, I enjoyed every interview on his podcast.?
Fast forward a few months, I have LinkedIn live and I’m looking for speakers. I think of David. And then it hits me, I did the very same thing. I started off my LinkedIn live bringing people in from my network and started with all women. Diverse women, but all women without giving it a second thought. The very same thing David did.?
领英推荐
I now enjoy cheering David on. When he mentors women at GirlzWhoSell, or when he joins podcasts, when I see him celebrating women. When he offers mentorship and support. David is an amazing human, and my own bias taught me a lesson.
When you feel yourself judging, check your bias. You’ll never know what you’ll find.?Lead with curiosity and be open.?
Thank you for being an amazing ally, David.
Lesson: Everyone has biases. The key is in recognizing that and being intentional. Not letting your biases get in the way of meeting and working with amazing people.
Chief Strategy Officer D&S Executive Career Management | Board & Executive Career Search Coaching | Interview, & Negotiation Expert | Career Futurist | How Women Lead Member | Former Fortune 100 Exec Recruiter
2 年What a great reminder about reflecting on the why’s behind our bias
Project Manager | Trusted Partner | Account Growth | Customer Success | Results-Driven | Known for Kindness and Collaboration
2 年This! I absolutely feel this entirely. I want to see more diversity, and yet when I recommend people I provide a list of women because I want women to be considered.
Facial Analysis Expert| Human Lie Detector IExecutive Interview Skills Mentoring| Global Communication Skills Training | Keynote Speaker I Author
2 年Great post Jen Ferguson! Just when we think we're not biased life reminds us to think again, and again and again...
B2B Sales Coach
2 年Wow! Humbled and honored by this Jen Ferguson - thank you for all of the kind words, but you left out one of the best parts of the story. When we first “met” - Zoom - it was 2020, the first thing I said to you was “what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this” - I don’t even know where that came from, but there it was. That you stuck with me after that says a lot about you Jen Ferguson - and I’m glad you did. I’m a richer person for knowing you, so thank you!