The culture cost of judgement
55 vs. 5 😂
‘Do you always dress like that?’
The new CEO of an engineering company that I worked for about 15 years ago asked me that question when I met him for the first time. What I wanted to do was take the attached photo out and say ‘Yes I have. Forever.’
Instead, I almost apologetically said, ‘it’s just my thing.’
It is. I’ve always taken an interest in style and I like to shop. It doesn't affect my work performance, just my self-esteem. Some people like to watch reality TV shows, some like to restore cars. We’re all different. Yet, at that moment in time, I felt judged.
To cut a long story short, I (obviously) didn’t change the way that I dressed and after running a full-day session with the leadership team the CEO said to me ‘That was great. I guess I was wrong about you.’ He’d made an assessment of my personality, work ethic and (likely) performance, based on the fact that I wore a shirt and tie.
The sad fact is, that we've all done it. Formed an opinion about someone within seconds of meeting them. Made assumptions about their capability based on appearance or communication style. Decided their worth before they've had a chance to demonstrate it.
Human judgement is as natural as breathing, but in our workplaces, it's a silent culture killer.
I was working with a leadership team recently who complained about a particular individual's approach to meetings. "He's too quiet," they said. "Doesn't contribute enough."
When I spoke with him privately, I discovered a thoughtful introvert who processed information differently. His insights were brilliant, just not delivered in the rapid-fire, passionate manner the team expected.
This rush to judgement robs us of potential. It creates invisible barriers between talented people and stifles the psychological safety needed for productivity and creativity to flourish.
The truth is, we're all just humans trying our best. Behind every quirk, every personality, every communication style, every personal choice lies an incomplete person with experiences that have shaped them.
Next time you catch yourself making snap judgements, pause. Ask what might be happening beneath the surface. Consider what strengths might be hidden behind what you initially perceive as weaknesses. Try to understand that person in the way that you constantly try to understand yourself.
Great workplace cultures start with seeing people as they are, not as we assume them to be. When we suspend judgement, we create space for meaningful connection. Remember: Everyone you work with is fighting battles you know nothing about. Choose curiosity over judgement, and remove the barriers that inhibit your chances at building a truly great culture.
