Seeing Sideways - How The Anchoring Bias Controls Your Decisions

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“Clarity is resilience. Resilient thinkers don’t lock themselves into a decision just because it was the first one available.”

Why do first impressions and initial numbers have such a strong grip on our thinking? In this episode of Seeing Sideways, I unpack The Anchoring Bias—how our brains latch onto early information—and shares practical tools to reclaim clarity, flexibility, and sound judgment in everyday decisions.

What if the first thing you heard—or thought—was quietly steering every decision you've made since?

Key Takeaway Insights and Tools (with Timestamps):

• Anchoring Bias: When the Beginning Becomes the Benchmark
  The first number, impression, or idea becomes the mental anchor—shaping how we judge everything that follows.
  [01:03]
• The Trap of the First Input
  Whether it's pricing, people, or predictions, anchoring bias distorts judgment—even if the starting point is random or irrelevant.
  [02:09]
• Mental Reversals to Break the Frame
  Ask: “What if the first number had been different?” or “What if I’d heard praise instead of criticism first?” These exercises reveal how much the anchor influences your view.
  [06:29]
• Delay Judgment and Let Experience Lead
  Instead of jumping to conclusions, allow space for context to develop. A second impression often tells you more than the first.
  [06:54]
• Clarity Is Resilience
  Resilient thinkers don’t treat the first input as sacred—they stay flexible, compare perspectives, and make better-calibrated decisions.
  [07:48]

5. Additional Suggested Sections:

Referenced Tools & Concepts:

• Mental Reversals: Imagine the first input was totally different
• First Impression Filter: Ask yourself, “Would I feel differently if I heard this second?”
• Information Expansion: Deliberately seek out additional data points
• Delay Rule: Wait before reacting to emotionally charged first impressions

Bio:

Jason Birkevold Liem is a resilience and leadership coach, keynote speaker, and author of Seeing Sideways. He helps individuals and teams think more clearly, lead more intentionally, and make better choices in uncertain environments. His podcast It’s an Inside Job explores the psychology behind mindset, emotion, and decision-making.

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