Many of the challenges faced by today’s organizations are the result of a phenomenon that psychologists call “unconscious bias.” Unconscious biases are deeply ingrained prejudices caused by cultural assumptions and stereotypes, which we may not even be aware that we have. These biases can result in inequities, disrespect, and unfairness in the workplace, which, in turn, take a toll on the overall well-being of an organization.
This insidious phenomenon can account for such problems as lack of diversity in hiring and promotion, gender and racial stereotyping, and low employee satisfaction and retention.
Even well-meaning individuals may thoughtlessly express unconscious bias in subtle ways such as:
- Repeatedly mispronouncing someone’s name
- Eye-rolling
- Social exclusion
- Failing to give credit where it’s due
- Interrupting
- Not introducing someone
Since unconscious bias is not the result of conscious decision, we may not realize that we’re treating others in an inappropriate manner based on our cultural assumptions.
The good news is that, when properly addressed—as with the unconscious-bias training program that Google initiated for 20,000 of its employees in 2014—detrimental behavior can be replaced with a positive approach. Unconscious-bias training has become an important twenty-first-century component of respectful-workplace, diversity, and harassment-prevention training.
Unconscious-bias training encourages awareness of our automatic assumptions about others. It provides the tools needed to recognize, examine, and correct for illogical, inappropriate, or unprofessional behaviors in the workplace. And it leads to more respectful, successful, and effective organizations.
ATS Media Unconscious Bias Video Programs
Consciously Overcoming Unconscious Bias
Diversity: Face to Face
Is It Bias?