Seeing Sideways: Your Brain Isn't Broken, It's Just Biased (The Surprising Truth About How We Think)
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“Clarity is resilience. And it doesn’t come from being unshakably sure—it comes from staying grounded while allowing your ideas to evolve.”
What if your brain isn’t broken—but brilliantly biased? In this kick-off to the Seeing Sideways series, I explore how cognitive biases shape our perception, decision-making, and relationships—and how self-awareness helps us respond with clarity and build lasting resilience.
Have you ever been absolutely certain you were right—only to discover your brain was playing tricks on you?
Key Takeaway Insights and Tools (with Timestamps):
- Your Brain Isn’t Flawed—It’s Efficient
Cognitive biases aren’t defects. They’re evolutionary shortcuts that once kept us safe but now can distort modern decision-making.
[01:20] - Clarity Begins with Curiosity
When you prioritise curiosity over certainty, you create space for growth, insight, and better judgment.
[02:46] - Confirmation Bias: A Belief Magnet
Our brains filter information to support existing beliefs—whether in the workplace, relationships, or how we see ourselves.
[09:06] - Contrarian Thinking Builds Resilience
Questioning your assumptions, rehearsing the opposite viewpoint, and seeking respectful contradiction help sharpen clarity and adaptability.
[13:47–16:41] - Track Your Thinking Over Time
Keeping a belief journal lets you reflect on how your perspectives evolve—and where your mind may be filtering reality.
[16:41]
Jason Birkevold Liem is a leadership coach, author, and host of It’s an Inside Job. With over two decades of experience in psychology-based coaching, Jason helps leaders and professionals build mental resilience, improve communication, and lead with clarity. His latest work, Seeing Sideways, explores how to reframe cognitive biases and lead from the inside out.
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