Are biases getting the better of us?

Since I got into working professionally, I have heard, read and sometimes believed, some or the other “fact” about an “ism” - “ageism” or “heightism” or “beautism” (no such word exists but you know what I mean) - which was being used to explain behavior patterns around hiring and earning potential of individuals.

I was at the Book Launch of Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People are More Successful by Daniel Hamermesh at the World Bank a few years ago. The room was packed. At a place like the Bank, which is touted to be an organization with very good looking employees, the full room seemed to act as validation for the two kinds of people present - the younger employees who had made it through competitive selection processes and the more senior execs who had hired more attractive people (given a choice). Then there was the third kind - the snobs - the ones who wouldn't be considered “universally” attractive but were doing well in life anyway and were in the room sporting the occasional shrug, “we must be more intelligent than the rest of you, because despite being less attractive than you, we made it here anyway”.

Daniel quoted lots of statistics and quantitative analysis to the audience and of course we are all suckers for data driven hypotheses. When the talk ended, and people started to leave the room, I looked around and noticed that a lot of people had question marks on their faces. People seemed to be doubting their journeys in life so far, I know I was. Did I really make it to where I was because of how I looked? Wait, was it not because I’m smart and intelligent or at least because I portray those qualities? The thought stayed with me.

A few days later, I was discussing this topic with some young professionals in DC, from different companies and sectors of work. I was amazed to hear some of them say that they didn't get x promotion or y raise because of some “ism” they had made their peace with. But what really hit me, was that these super smart people actually didn't think it was worth putting in that extra effort because the “ism” bias of their boss wouldn't get them what they deserved anyway. Now that's a problem.

While I understand some of these hypotheses working in select sectors, like more beautiful or taller people getting more assignments or being more famous in the entertainment industry, do attractive people earn more/ get promoted faster in a field like sustainable development or in the non profit sector? I’ve been in management positions where I’ve chosen between candidates. I’ve definitely considered degrees and experience, and I’ve also considered gender, but looks, no. Shabbiness or dressing sense is another thing and an important part of one’s personality, especially when in a client facing job - I’ve definitely given untidy candidates a pass. But beauty and height have not featured on my check list. Then again, that could just be me.

There may be truth to these "ism"s. At least data seems to suggest there is. Irrespective, I would say, focus on yourself. Give your best to what you love doing. These “ism”s are probably insecurities of people judging you - don't let them become yours.