Diversity and Inclusion Tips: Recognize Your Unconscious Bias

If you’re looking to build a stronger workplace community, exploring your “unconscious biases” can enhance your work culture. Unconscious biases are automatic assumptions or judgments we make about others, often influenced by past experiences, stereotypes, or beliefs we’ve absorbed over time. Examining our own biases can lead to a more inclusive and positive workplace. Recognizing your own biases is easier said than done, as they often operate automatically and subconsciously. Here are four common workplace interactions where biased thoughts or actions can be likely to surface:

 1) Listening to a coworker: Are you assigning less or more value to their input, or comments based on differences?

 2) Organizing a social gathering: Are you leaving out people different from the majority in your group? If they are included, are you uncomfortable and not yourself during those social interactions?

3) Giving feedback to a coworker or team member: Do you offer more or less encouragement depending on individual differences?

4) Working with others: Do you form a team or workgroup with individuals who are similar to you?

Mindfulness of our unconscious biases in our everyday interactions can foster a more equitable and supportive work environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.

Jim Riggs | 12/4/2024