The halo effect is a cognitive bias whereby we allow one trait of a person or object to affect the perception of other traits. A normal example is to assume that because a person is more attractive than others, they must also be more intelligent. This is, of course, completely not true. We all know plenty of people that are either pretty and dumb, or ugly and smart.
The danger of this bias is that is can cause us to make faulty assumptions which in turn lead to bad decisions. And bad decisions, as we all know, lead to negative consequences. Charlie Sheen is a great example. His assumption that he is, "Duh, winning!" is built on the fact that he is both rich and famous. That belief seemingly blinds him to the fact that other foundational areas of his life are crumbling around him. This "halo" blinds him to the fact that outsiders see all to well; his life is heading toward a reckless outcome.
I'm not picking on Mr. Sheen, or singling him out as somehow uniquely blind. This happens all of the time in our own lives as well. It happens in the organizations in which we work, the families in which we live, and the relationships in which we pursue. To overcome this bias, we must first be honest about its presence in our minds. Only then can we challenge wrong assumptions, ask better questions, and arrive at better answers.
Winning or losing in one area of your life does not necessarily mean you are winning or losing in others. Blind optimism can be just as dangerous as narrow-minded cynicism. When things are going well, that in no way omits our need to seek improvement in other areas. When things are bad, that in no way means all is hopeless. Do the work to remove the halo and see things as they really are. It may be uncomfortable, but it will not prove to be fruitless.
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