In this blog, we will learn why unconscious bias training is important. Every day, we make countless decisions without realising it. While our brain’s ability to process information quickly is essential, it can also lead to unconscious biases that affect our workplace interactions and decisions.
What is unconscious bias?
Unconscious biases are underlying attitudes and assumptions that we automatically attribute to people without realising we do so. These biases are formed by our background, social environment and experiences. Our brain is programmed to trust what’s familiar and be suspicious of what’s unfamiliar, a basic survival instinct designed to keep us safe.
When we meet someone new, our unconscious brain immediately categorises them based on characteristics such as gender, age, ethnicity, appearance and many others. This automatic categorisation can lead to stereotypes and prejudices that influence our decisions without our awareness.
How unconscious bias affects the workplace
Unconscious bias can significantly impact workplace dynamics and decision-making in several ways:
- Recruitment and promotion: Biases can influence who gets interviewed, hired or promoted, potentially limiting diversity and excluding talented individuals.
- Team dynamics: Unconscious preferences can affect who we collaborate with, whose ideas we value, and how we distribute work assignments.
- Innovation and problem-solving: Research shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous groups in innovation and problem-solving, but bias can prevent teams from achieving their full potential.
- Employee engagement: When people feel their contributions are undervalued due to bias, their engagement and productivity may suffer.
Recognising and addressing your biases
The first step towards addressing unconscious bias is acknowledging that we all have biases. Once we accept this, we can take practical steps to mitigate their impact:
- Self-awareness: Honestly reflect on your own biases and preconceptions. Challenge yourself to be more open to different perspectives.
- Question first impressions: Take time to examine your initial reactions to people and situations. Is your response based on evidence or assumptions?
- Focus on individuals: Instead of thinking about someone’s characteristics or background, concentrate on their actions, skills and contributions.
- Create inclusive practices: Make decisions based on clear, objective criteria rather than gut feelings. Involve diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.
Benefits of addressing unconscious bias
Unconscious bias training is the first step. Mitigating unconscious bias creates numerous benefits for individuals and organisations:
- Enhanced creativity and innovation through diverse perspectives
- Improved decision-making based on evidence rather than assumptions
- Stronger team cohesion and collaboration
- Increased employee engagement and retention
- A more inclusive workplace culture where everyone can thrive
Our unconscious bias in the workplace eLearning course provides practical strategies to recognise and address biases in the workplace. By understanding how our brain processes information and makes decisions, participants learn techniques to ensure fairer, more objective workplace interactions and practices. This course is part of the suite of The Learning Rooms off-the-shelf eLearning courses.
