Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People – Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People – What Every Coach Needs to Know

How this powerful read can transform your coaching conversations

We all like to think we're fair. That we treat people with kindness. That we see others for who they truly are.

But what if we don’t?

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald shines a bold light on something many of us don’t even realise we carry: unconscious bias. It’s a fascinating, and at times uncomfortable, read. But for coaches, it’s absolutely essential.

Let’s dive into why.

Coaching is about awareness.

To coach well, we must first notice. Notice the patterns. Notice the assumptions. Notice the language, the tone, the silence.

This book helps you notice something deeper: the hidden filters we all use to interpret the world.

Banaji and Greenwald unpack how our brains create shortcuts. These shortcuts help us make quick decisions. But they can also trip us up, especially when it comes to people who don’t look, sound or think like us.

That’s where coaching meets the hard truth.

Bias doesn’t mean bad.

This is one of the most important takeaways from the book. Bias doesn’t mean you’re unkind. Or unfair. Or deliberately excluding people.

It means you're human.

The book gently but firmly reveals that even the most well-intentioned people hold biases. That includes coaches. It includes our clients. And it shows up in ways we don’t expect – from who we trust in a team, to who we interrupt in a meeting.

Recognising that is a turning point.

Why it matters in coaching

When you’re sitting across from a client – whether face-to-face or screen-to-screen – you’re in a position of influence.

Your words carry weight.

Your questions spark action.

So if your own blindspots go unchecked, it can limit your client’s growth. You might unconsciously nudge them towards paths that align with your worldview – not theirs.

And that’s not what great coaching is about.

Great coaching clears the path for their potential to flourish.

How the book can sharpen your practice

1. Spot your own bias first.

The authors introduce the Implicit Association Test (IAT) – a fascinating tool to uncover what your mind really thinks beneath the surface. Try it. It’s eye-opening.

2. Hold space with more empathy.

Once you recognise your own mental shortcuts, you become more open. Less likely to judge. More ready to listen deeply. That shifts everything.

3. Challenge gently.

You’ll start to notice when your clients are driven by their own biases – perhaps without realising it. This book gives you the grounding to explore those moments with compassion, not confrontation.

4. Make inclusion part of your toolkit.

Inclusive coaching isn’t a trend. It’s a standard. This book arms you with the insight to coach more fairly, more effectively and with greater integrity.

One powerful question

After reading Blindspot, one question keeps bubbling up:

“What might I be missing here?”

It’s a simple question. But it opens the door to deeper awareness.

As a coach, asking yourself this – often and honestly – isn’t just powerful. It’s essential.

Final thought

Coaching is a craft built on curiosity, courage and care.

Blindspot helps you bring all three into sharper focus.

It’s not always a comfortable read. But it’s a necessary one.

And it will make you not just a better coach – but a better human.