EPISODE · Aug 4, 2026 · 5 MIN
The Case You Built After You Decided
from Deliberate Leaders Podcast with Allison Dunn · host Allison Dunn, Deliberate Directions
Why Confirmation Bias Can Cost You Thousands — And How to Spot It In this episode, Alison Dunn reveals how even the most experienced leaders fall prey to confirmation bias, often without realizing it. Through her personal story and practical advice, she shows how to identify and overcome this costly thinking trap before it causes irreversible damage. Key Topics: Alison shares her $250,000 mistake with a franchise purchase, illustrating how confirmation bias influences decision-making. The subtle signs of confirmation bias in everyday leadership, such as defending decisions and dismissing conflicting evidence. How to ask effective questions, like "What assumptions am I making?" and "What if those assumptions are wrong?" to challenge your thinking. The importance of treating opposition or questions as gifts rather than threats to uncover hidden biases. Strategies to prevent confirmation bias, including writing down assumptions and seeking genuine input before making decisions. The role of self-awareness and curiosity in catching this trap early, especially in team discussions and strategic planning. A teaser for the book "Think First" that offers five methods to detect and counteract thinking traps before they turn costly. Timestamps: 00:00 - The high cost of decision-making mistakes leaders often mistake for good judgment 00:29 - Alison's personal story of buying a franchise with flawed thinking 00:59 - How confirmation bias creates case-building rather than genuine decision-making 01:29 - Recognizing confirmation bias: defense mechanisms and filtering evidence 01:58 - Everyday signs: sharing decisions after they’re made, seeking buy-in rather than input 02:13 - The importance of asking "What am I assuming?" before closing a decision 02:41 - Using questions to challenge assumptions and invite curiosity 03:07 - The difference between awareness and action: catching bias in real-time 03:37 - Practical questions to expose assumptions and invite challenge 04:07 - How to treat opposition and questions as gifts to avoid confirmation bias 04:37 - Final advice: reflect on whether you're still deciding or just building a case; unlearning bias 05:05 - Promotion for "Think First" and upcoming episode on solving recurring problems Think First
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What this episode covers
Most costly leadership mistakes are disguised as good judgment, and understanding the trap can save you millions. Allison Dunn kicks off her new series by exposing confirmation bias: the silent driver behind decisions that seem solid but secretly steer us wrong. Imagine investing $250,000 on a franchise, believing your due diligence was enough, only to realize months later that you’d already made the decision emotionally, long before the research was finished. That’s confirmation bias in action, filtering out signals that challenge your assumptions and building cases for conclusions you've already formed. In this episode, Allison illustrates how confirmation bias sneaks into everyday leadership: from defending plans without pause, to seeking only approval instead of genuine input. She shares the telltale signs, responding to challenge with evidence, sharing decisions post-hoc for buy-in, and reveals the critical questions to prevent falling into the trap. You'll discover: the powerful questions to uncover hidden assumptions, how to turn obstacles into growth opportunities, and why catching confirmation bias early can dramatically improve your decision-making. This isn’t just about avoiding costly mistakes; it’s about unlocking a new level of clarity and leadership confidence. When you recognize and challenge your biases, you open space for smarter, faster decisions, and better results. If you're a leader, executive, or entrepreneur tired of second-guessing yourself, this episode will forever change how you approach critical choices. Allison Dunn is a leadership expert and author of Think First, helping leaders cut through the noise to make better decisions. Whether you’re at the top of your game or just starting your leadership journey, mastering these thinking traps is your ticket to fewer costly errors and more deliberate impact. Ready to transform the way you lead? Tune in now, and learn how one simple question can prevent your next expensive mistake.
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The Case You Built After You Decided
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