Unconscious Bias

Unconscious Bias

Every single one of us has unconscious bias - We support organisations with raising awareness about unconscious bias & with developing and implementing action plans to address it

Why?

Why are nearly 60% of corporate CEOs in America over 6ft tall, when not even 15% of American men are over 6ft? Why would only 49% of people reviewing a CV with a female name deem the person worthy of hire when 79% reviewing the exact same CV, with a man’s name, elected to hire him? Why are people more likely to buy French wine when French music is playing in a supermarket and German wine when German music is playing? It’s all due to unconscious or implicit bias. 

UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

‘Unconscious bias’ is bias that is automatic, outside our control and of which we are unaware. It triggers rapid assessments and judgements. It’s why we duck if a tennis or golf ball is coming straight for our head. Imagine how dangerous the roads would be if all of us were driving consciously the way we did when we were learner drivers. We couldn’t function, or indeed survive, if all our decisions were made consciously.

COGNITIVE SHORTCUTS

It’s estimated that at any moment, we have 10-40 million bits of information in our brains, but that only 40 of those are being processed consciously. In order to survive, we have to make cognitive shortcuts based on our experience and background. The problem is that this results in some errors of judgement which can lead to unconscious bias in our treatment of other people and our decision making. We are all susceptible to it. It impacts individuals when assumptions prevent them from reaching their full potential and it impacts organisations when it prevents them from identifying, retaining and promoting the best talent available to them.  

 

ADDRESSING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

Raising awareness about our own unconscious bias is a first step to addressing it – we facilitate this through our Unconscious Bias Workshops. It is important, however, that this is followed up by action, as it’s not easy to interrupt unconscious thinking, and increased awareness needs to be supplemented with systems and a culture that supports inclusiveness. We support organisations with developing and implementing programmes to mitigate against unconscious bias and develop a more inclusive culture. 

WORKSHOP CONTENT

The workshop provides a forum to allow participants to explore:

  • What is unconscious bias?
  • Different types of bias
  • How does it manifest itself in the workplace?
  • The effects of unconscious bias
  • How to address unconscious bias

workshop outcomes

By the end of a workshop, participants will:

  • be able to describe unconscious bias & its effects
  • recognise some of their own biases
  • recognise occurrences of unconscious bias in the workplace
  • be able to identify and implement a range of measures to address unconscious bias

See below for testimonials from satisfied clients:

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