Cognitive biases are biases in judgment and decision making. We are the sum of our biases, and there’s little chance of eliminating all of them. But by acknowledging them, you may be able to prevent them from causing you to make an unsound decision. Naomi Karten mentions three to be aware of.

The trouble with calling someone in the software development world a "geek" is that he won't know whether or not you mean it as a compliment. Some fly their geek flag with pride; others bear the mark with shame. What if we added a new, more inclusive and prideful definition? Would it stick?

If a coworker, employee, or manager is offended by something you said or did, it can make for a tense workplace. But a simple "I'm sorry" won't always smooth things over. Here are some guidelines to make sure your apology is thoughtful, sincere, and well-received.