Finding hidden gems.
I had two interesting encounters recently.
First: with a colleague who was all praises for one of his team members. I had referred this person to him last year. He wasn't super impressed during the interview but reluctantly took him based on my assurance. This colleague was obviously thankful that he listened to my advice.
Second: with a wonderful and happy couple whom I have known for a long time. Over drinks, they narrated how one of them completely disliked the other before, perhaps through some divine intervention, they started courting each other and finally married.
***
When we evaluate people - for personal or professional relationships - we are all extremely prone to a fundamental bias.
This bias goes beyond first impression which is mostly based on gut and limited information.
Even when we have sufficient information about a person, we tend to assign way too much weightage to the present - how capable or smart they are, how they look, how they speak, what are their tastes and preferences...and so on. We almost always ignore the future - who this person could become.
The time-tested reality is that:
1. People change over time, often beyond recognition.
2. The biggest influence on change comes from other people they are surrounded by.
Next time, before you are tempted to reject someone, just pause and ask yourself: who this person could become in the future. AND, how your presence in their life can change them for the better.
Pearls and diamonds are discovered when someone digs deeper beyond the surface and they become valuable when someone puts in the effort to shine them.
# #people #future #change #bias #potential