People often view their own opinions as equal to everyone else’s, without regard to relative differences in knowledge and experience. Mentees may ignore advice because they assume they have all the answers. They need to step back and recognize that their opinions may be based on insufficient information.
On the flipside, mentors sometimes unconsciously assume their charges know what they know, and are then upset by what they see as self-defeating behavior. Instead, they should recognize that their mentees have gaps in their experiences that cause blind spots and then work to fill those voids.
Cognitive biases will run the show and dominate your mind if you let them. But a healthy dose of introspection and self-reflection can reveal them for what they are and open the door to new ways of thinking. Mentors and mentees should discuss these biases together to gain a fuller understanding of each other and the inner workings of their relationship. The more you’re aware of how you think, the more you can adapt your thinking to serve you better.