Dealing with Unconscious Bias

How the brain tricks us when we meet colleagues and business partners Talking about our own biases can be challenging. However, reflection and identification of these biases can enable us to modify our behaviour and become better, more inclusive leaders in our interactions with colleagues, employees and business partners.

© Hyejin Kang (AdobeStock #208697585)

Talking about our own biases can be challenging. However, reflection and identification of these biases can enable us to modify our behaviour and become better, more inclusive leaders in our interactions with colleagues, employees and business partners.

Bias is a fact of human psychology. Built up over years of conscious and unconscious experiences, it shapes our attitudes and perceptions of others and influences our actions. Dealing with unconscious bias is challenging because of its very nature – it is difficult to admit that we have biases when we are not aware of them.

This can therefore be a sensitive topic. However, identifying and overcoming bias is a vital step for leaders to build an inclusive environment in their workplace. Inclusive leadership enables the development and sustainable success of diverse teams in which all members are equally valued. It also enables accurate assessment and understanding of interactions with business partners.

BAMIK’s unconscious bias training takes a non-judgmental approach to encourage participants to reflect on their unconscious biases and develop strategies to overcome these. The benefits of doing so are numerous for oneself, one’s employer and one’s colleagues.