Lucho Llanca

We all like to think we’re pretty good at what we do. Whether it’s our job, our hobbies, or just navigating daily life, it feels reassuring to believe we’ve got a handle on things. But here’s a mind-bender: our brains have a sneaky way of tricking us into overestimating our own abilities. It’s called competency bias, and it’s way more common than you might realize.

How the Brain Inflates Our Ego

Let’s face it, most of us think we’re above average. In driving, in our relationships, in our intelligence… the list goes on. But that’s statistically impossible, right? This is where competency bias sneaks in. Our brains have a built-in preference for positive self-assessment. It’s a survival mechanism of sorts, boosting our confidence and making it easier to tackle challenges.

The problem is, this self-inflated view makes us astonishingly bad at judging our own competence. We overestimate our skills and underestimate our shortcomings. It’s a bit like being lost in the woods but utterly convinced you know the way out.

The Real-World Impact

Competency bias isn’t just an amusing quirk; it has real consequences. Here are just a few examples:

• Workplace woes: Overconfident employees might take on projects beyond their abilities, make uninformed decisions, or resist constructive feedback.
• Relationship struggles: Thinking you’re a better communicator or partner than you actually are can create blind spots and lead to conflict.
• Dangerous decisions: We’ve all seen overconfident drivers or people who think they’re immune to scams. Competency bias can cloud judgment and lead to risky choices.

Breaking Free of the Bias

So, how do we get a more realistic grip on our own abilities? Here are some tips:

• Seek honest feedback: Ask trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors for their candid assessment of your strengths and weaknesses.
• Embrace constructive criticism: View it as an opportunity for growth, not a personal attack.
• Test yourself: Find ways to benchmark your skills against objective standards.
• Stay humble: Remember, everyone has room to learn and improve.

The Takeaway

Ditching competency bias isn’t about tearing down your self-esteem. It’s about replacing a false sense of superiority with a genuine understanding of where you stand. This kind of self-awareness is the key to continuous growth, better decision-making, and stronger relationships.