One Year of Mind Knots: Lessons, Insights, and What's Next

I can’t believe it’s been a full year since Mind Knots set sail! What a journey it’s been—one full of insights, conversations, and eye-opening moments with leaders who are recognizing just how much bias influences their thinking.

When I wrote Mind Knots, my goal was to shine a light on the cognitive and emotional biases that quietly shape leadership and decision-making. What I didn’t anticipate was just how deeply this message would resonate. The conversations that have emerged—through podcasts, executive discussions, and direct messages from readers—have reinforced my belief in the value of this leadership lens.

So, as I step into year two, I’m reflecting on some of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned from those who have joined me on this journey.

The Big One: Bias in Leadership Remains Overlooked

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: bias is still largely unrecognized in leadership and business. Not because it isn’t real, but because it’s elusive and misunderstood.

Biases don’t announce themselves. They influence decisions quietly, showing up as gut instincts, assumptions, miscalculations, and even unsubstantiated confidence and optimism. And while no leader is immune, most organizations still don’t actively assess or address bias in decision-making.

It’s true, we can’t eliminate biases. But the good news is, we can improve the “misunderstood” part of the problem by increasing our "Bias Intelligence." We can learn bias management strategies and leverage good decision process frameworks.

Leaders Who Recognize The Impact of Bias Want More

Many of the leaders I’ve spoken with—especially those who have experienced bias-driven decision-making firsthand—are eager to increase their understanding of these psychological snarls that can hinder their effectiveness.

They’re asking the right fundamental questions and some big questions including:

• What are biases, really?

• How are they different from traits and competencies?

• How do they form, and how do they influence leadership thinking?

• When should I trust my instincts, and when should I do the hard work of thinking?

• Which biases might be holding me back?

  
  

What I love about these questions is that they reflect a growing curiosity and self-awareness. Leaders are realizing that identifying and managing biases is as much about avoiding mistakes—as it is about elevating good judgment, decision-making and leadership effectiveness.

Conversations That Stood Out

One of the most rewarding parts of this past year has been hearing real stories from leaders who’ve taken some of the insights from Mind Knots and applied it to their leadership.

Some told me that just pausing and thinking before reacting has helped them make better, more thoughtful decisions. That’s huge. That simple moment of pause and awareness can completely shift outcomes.

Others are using insights from the book to improve collaboration, interpersonal dynamics, and team productivity. They’re recognizing how unchecked biases create team inefficiencies—causing friction, slowing progress, and derailing good ideas before they even get started.

Then there were those eye-opening conversations about systemic bias in organizations. Some said they realized that bias wasn’t just shaping individual decisions—it was baked into company processes and culture. They recognized that hiring practices, innovation initiatives, and even strategic investments were being swayed by unseen biases. That’s a big one.

Bias Management as a Leadership Tool

What really stood out was how different executives found opportunities to apply takeaways from the book in very practical ways.

Coaching & Team Development – Several told me they’re using questions and some of the frameworks in the book to coach individuals on their teams. The overriding insight I learned is that they’re helping people in their organizations to recognize bias in their thinking— challenging them to rethink assumptions, and guiding them through strategies to mitigate bias in their leadership to improve their effectiveness.

Decision-Making & Risk Management – Others have told me that Mind Knots has made them more aware of bias in high-stakes decisions—spanning examples in hiring, strategic and operational planning. These executives are recognizing how bias consistently sways decisions in specific situations unless it’s actively managed.

One of the most significant and astute realizations from a couple of executives is also one of the most important things to understand about psychological bias. Bias isn’t random—it’s consistent and predictable within contexts and situations. It shows up in patterns, which means it can be anticipated and managed. That’s a major leadership advantage.

What’s Next? Year Two of Our Mind Knots Journey

One of the most common questions I’ve heard this year is: How do I identify biases in myself, my team, and my organization? That's the critical question!

First, it's far easier to spot biases in other people than it is to recognize them in ourselves. However, biases leave clues—in behaviors, emotions, and decisions made.

Mind Knots dives deep into eight common leadership biases, but throughout the book, I reference over 40 biases that impact leadership, business, and everyday decision-making. The reality? There are over 200 recognized cognitive and emotional biases, and new research continues to expand our understanding of how they shape behavior.

That’s why year two of Mind Knots is about going deeper and broader. 

I’m excited to bring more insights, tools, and strategies to help executives sharpen their leadership edge and their leadership “positioning” by elevating bias awareness, management, and Bias Intelligence.

Stay tuned for an exciting new announcement coming this year that will move the dial in how we can better recognize and leverage biases to work for us and our organizations instead of against us.

A Challenge for Year Two: How Will You Navigate Your Biases?

Bias influence is contextually consistent—unless it's identified, managed, and leveraged strategically.

You have three choices to deal with this reality:

1.      Ignore bias and invest resources fixing the problems it causes later.

2.      Develop your awareness, and learn intervention strategies to mitigate its negative effects to prevent errors in judgment and poor decisions.

3.      Build bias intelligence, recognize bias in yourself and others. Learn to harness biases to work for you instead of against you, your team, and your organization.

Understanding how individuals are predisposed to think and act in specific situations is an essential leadership advantage. Whether for hiring, coaching, strategy, or leadership development, this is a leadership lens that can deliver significant value.

So, as we enter year two of Mind Knots, I’ll leave you with this question:

What’s one bias that might be swaying the decisions you make and the actions you take right now?

If you're curious to learn more, visit mindknots.co where you will find a Resources page and our Mind Knots Bias Index (MKBI) with lots of information on over 40 biases commonly found in leadership and business. You'll find explanations of the biases, questions to help you identify them, as well as perspective on both the 'risk' and the potential 'treasure' the bias offers when harnessed properly. And helpful tips to mitigate the negative effects of the bias.

This is a journey. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Thank you for your leadership, your curiosity, and your readership!