The Essential Steps to Mitigating Workplace Bias
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Understanding Bias in the Workplace
Have you ever browsed the 'About Us' section of a company’s website and noticed a striking similarity among its board members? As you scroll through, you might find a uniformity of race, educational attainment, and socioeconomic background. This observation is not uncommon, and it reflects the pervasive nature of bias—both conscious and unconscious.
It's easy to convince ourselves that we are immune to these biases, thinking, “I wouldn’t allow my biases to influence my hiring choices.” However, the truth is that biases are an intrinsic aspect of human nature. Each of us carries preconceived notions influenced by our experiences, culture, and upbringing.
To define bias: it is an unequal preference for or against an idea, person, or thing, often resulting in inaccuracies, prejudice, or unfairness. While biases can help us navigate our world and expedite decision-making, they also risk leading to poor judgments and unintentional discrimination. Recognizing our biases is crucial to freeing ourselves from their limitations.
Common Types of Workplace Bias
Let’s explore three prevalent biases that likely affect our thoughts and actions within the workplace:
- Affinity Bias: This refers to the inclination to prefer individuals with similar backgrounds, interests, or experiences. This bias can lead to hiring managers recruiting candidates who mirror themselves, especially in the absence of effective hiring practices.
- Confirmation Bias: Once we form a belief about a colleague or a piece of work, we tend to seek out evidence that supports our view. For instance, a store manager named Steph might only focus on the mistakes of retail assistant Mary, reinforcing her perception that Mary is incompetent, while overlooking her successes.
- Attribution Bias: This occurs when we credit our achievements to our own efforts but attribute failures to external factors. For example, when you excelled in a product demonstration, it was due to your skill; however, when you missed a deadline, you blamed the client’s late feedback.
Strategies for Identifying and Overcoming Bias
Now that we have a clearer understanding of how biases manifest, let’s discuss some effective strategies to minimize their impact on our actions.
Self-Reflection and Awareness
Take time to consider how your background, upbringing, and education have shaped your beliefs. For instance, having grown up in an environment where obtaining a degree was paramount, I initially associated a person's worth with their educational level. This perspective can be damaging, as it overlooks the multifaceted nature of individuals.
Ask yourself questions like:
- What stereotypes do I hold about various community groups?
- Do I assume my team members will always voice their disagreements?
- Am I quick to judge without fully listening or empathizing?
- Are my beliefs influenced more by Western individualism or Eastern collectivism?
Becoming aware of your biases begins with introspection.
Invite Challenges to Your Assumptions
Daily, we make numerous assumptions about ourselves and others, often mistaking them for absolute truths. For example, a team leader might assume her team is entirely satisfied with her project approach, unaware that her methods created a toxic atmosphere, leading to resignations.
To counteract this, actively invite feedback on your assumptions. Two practical ways to facilitate this are:
- Regularly solicit feedback from your boss and peers regarding your working style and performance.
- Document and share your assumptions with your team for collective discussion.
You may be surprised by the perspectives others can offer.
Broaden Your Network for Diverse Perspectives
Engaging with individuals from varied backgrounds is essential for expanding your worldview and challenging entrenched beliefs. Real interactions with people who hold different viewpoints can help illuminate the complexity of human experiences.
Participate in clubs, courses, cultural activities, industry events, or volunteer for causes that resonate with you. Though it may feel daunting at first, starting with familiar environments can ease the transition. Personally, while I connect with diverse colleagues globally, much of my network consists of individuals of Asian descent, prompting me to take my own advice and broaden my circle.
Closing Thoughts
Recognizing our biases is a vital step for all of us. We are shaped by unique experiences and perspectives that influence how we see the world. By acknowledging our biases, we can strive to empathize and connect with those who differ from us. This is the pathway to dismantling bias in the workplace, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.
In the following video, "Reduce Bias In The Workplace By Following These Tips from Workiva!", viewers will learn practical strategies to combat bias in hiring and team dynamics.
The video "How Can Providers Reduce Unconscious Bias?" discusses approaches for professionals to identify and mitigate their unconscious biases in various settings.