Keeping unconscious bias at bay
Bias is the tendency to believe that some people and ideas are better than others. While biases can be identified and managed when they’re apparent, they are often completely unconscious and unintended.
Unconscious bias is a hot-button topic that comes up more and more frequently, largely because of the growing awareness around the issue - a key first step towards combating it. But eradicating unconscious bias is a long road and will require a herculean, conscious effort.
Where are we now?
A bias is our affinity to believe that some are superior to others and unconscious biases are often a result of ingrained learning.
Many believe themselves to be inclusive and without biases, but we all have conscious and unconscious biases that are based on our beliefs and experiences.
Our brain creates these biases to overcome the large amounts of information that it has to manage every day.
What can you do?
Managing unconscious bias in the workplace should begin right from the hiring process to prevent disruptions to productivity and team morale later.
Awareness of unconscious biases is of utmost importance in curbing them. Taking the Implicit Associations Test can help uncover one’s implicit biases.
What's next?
Although biases are pervasive, their impact can be reduced with attention and effort. Gender bias, for instance, can be prevented by setting in place gender-neutral hiring practices and ensuring gender-parity on teams.
Using facts instead of feelings, seeking second opinions on your decisions, and gathering all the information before you act are some ways to fight unconscious biases.
Accepting that everyone has unintended biases and then working towards breaking them is the slow but sure way to successfully tackle the issue in the workplace. And while the road is long, it’s heartening to see the journey has already begun with movements like #BreaktheBias, BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo.
1. The Implicit Associations Test is a great tool for uncovering our unconscious bias.
2. Here are some more tips on how to manage unconscious bias.