The commission bias is a psychological phenomenon that makes us more inclined to take action — even when doing nothing would be the better choice.

Action feels safer. More responsible. More moral.

Even when the facts don’t support it.

You probably recognize the impulse to step in during stress or conflict, even though the situation might resolve more clearly — even naturally — without intervention.

Doing nothing can be hard work.

The psychology behind it:

🔻 Responsibility: If you act and things go wrong, it feels less painful than doing nothing and things going wrong.

🔻 Social perception: Action is seen as decisive, engaged, responsible.

🔻 Control: Taking action makes us feel more competent — even when it’s objectively unnecessary.

Stress activates our need for control. And action becomes our automatic response.

But effective leadership?
That often requires the opposite: slowing down, observing, resisting the urge to jump in — going against the grain of the commission bias.

The challenge?

Daring not to act.
Not reacting. Not fixing.
Pausing. Watching. Slowing down.

Creating space before you choose.

Because right there — in that space of nothing — true leadership often emerges.

The difference between automatic reaction and conscious leadership.

🌀 When was the last time you chose inaction, even though every part of you wanted to act?