Authority isn’t automatic
I’ve already talked about authority bias on Wengood, through the Milgram experiment. Indeed, this bias was highlighted by a psychologist in the 1960s to understand how people were able to submit to Nazi orders during the Second World War.
So he did an experiment, where participants inflicted electric shocks (fake ones in reality) on a person (an actor in reality) under the orders of a scientist in a white coat (also an actor). The majority of participants obeyed because of the white coat, even when the shocks became dangerous or even lethal 💀.
👉 Authority bias has therefore been well and truly proven: we give credibility and trust to people of authority, even if their decisions or opinions are debatable.
“Most people submit to authority without question, even when they’re led to commit acts that go against their conscience.” - Stanley Milgram
Why do we obey blindly?
Some people can’t stand authority, while others like me are forced to comply without batting an eyelid. However, as Milgram explained, this is completely normal. Indeed, from childhood, we’re taught to respect authority, whether it’s our parents, our teachers, or later our superiors 🤐.
We might think that once we become adults, we’d be able to rebel, but in reality, there’s something that weighs heavily on our heads: the consequences of opposing authority. We’re afraid we’ll be told off, punished, looked down upon within our company, or worse still, lose our job 🙃.
To challenge is to take risks, no wonder we’re averse to it!
The consequences of this bias at work
Admittedly, the atrocities of war aren’t comparable to an office job, but there are still harmful repercussions for our professional lives. If we blindly follow orders, we inevitably end up missing good ideas or repeating the same mistakes. Just because our boss tells us “That’s the way we’ve always done it here” doesn’t mean it’s a good thing 😓 (in fact, it’s one of the phrases that needs to be banned from the workplace).
Especially in the worst cases, authority bias can lead to serious downward sliding, such as harassment at work or financial errors. So it’s important to understand that as an employee, you have the right to say when something doesn’t suit you. You need to be assertive and say what you think diplomatically. With tact and solid arguments, you can get things moving 💪!
👋 You may be interested in this article: Should you talk about your private life at work?
How do you overcome authority bias at work?
It’s not easy to dare to say what you think to your boss. Personally, it took me years to realize that I was dealing with a “mere human being” and that we were on an equal footing. Admittedly, a vertical management style doesn’t help us to overcome authority bias, but it’s so liberating! Because yes, it often generates a lot of frustration 😅.
In short, here’s what I do to be able to say out loud what I’m thinking at work:
- 👉 I cultivate my critical mind. I do this by taking a step back and asking myself two questions: “Is this the best decision?” and “Do I have an idea that could be good?”
- 👉 I start a dialogue by saying things that show respect like “I love your idea, but I’ve had one of my own too, so you can tell me what you think of course”. We’re entitled not to be on the same wavelength, and we must express ourselves at all costs.
- 👉 I prepare solid arguments. Every time I’ve suggested an alternative, I’ve really thought it through to prove that it would be the right path to take.
- 👉 I work on my self-confidence. Well, that’s a long-term process I’ve been trying to do for a while to get rid of my imposter syndrome. But I’m well-aware that my ideas are just as good as anyone else’s! Just because I’m not the manager doesn’t mean I’m “useless”.
Of course, all this is easier said than done, especially in a very hierarchical, even infantilizing work environment... However, if you become aware of this bias, little by little, you can manage to assert yourself, even telling yourself that you’re better than this job that’s suffocating you. Yes, it can be the trigger to take off to new horizons and change jobs!
Editor’s note: Train your mindAuthority bias can be an obstacle not just to our personal development, but also to our well-being. It’s essential to recognize when and why we give in to this bias so that we can act and think independently and critically. If you often feel pressured to follow orders without questioning them, or if you find it difficult to express your opinions for fear of authority, it might be beneficial to discuss these issues with a psychologist. A professional can help you understand your reactions to authority and develop strategies to assert your voice. Don’t let authority bias dictate your actions without critical examination. Take control of your decisions.
🤗 Understanding yourself, accepting yourself, being happy... It’s here and now!
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