Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to attribute our successes to internal factors (skill, effort, intelligence) and our failures to external factors (bad luck, unfair circumstances, other people). Conversely, we tend to attribute others' successes to luck and their failures to character flaws. This asymmetry protects our self-image but systematically distorts our learning: we take credit for wins and deflect blame for losses, preventing accurate feedback loops.

When to use it

After any significant outcome (success or failure). During performance reviews. When assigning credit or blame. When your narrative about an event feels suspiciously flattering.

How it can help

Explains why post-mortems are biased, why teams don't learn from failure, and why success breeds overconfidence. Essential for building honest feedback cultures and accurate self-assessment. The antidote is deliberately inverting: what role did luck play in my success? What role did I play in my failure?