Hey there, folks! Welcome back. Last time we talked about understanding the ins and outs of unconscious bias. We learned it’s not just about color, gender, or background; it’s much more subtle and pervasive than we think. Now that we’ve peeled back the layers of this challenging topic, let’s dive into some hands-on strategies to manage and overcome it. And what better tool to use than the RAIN model, which stands for Recognize, Accept, Investigate, and Non-Identification & Reframe.
Recognize: The First Step is Acknowledgment
The very first part of the journey to managing your unconscious biases is recognizing that they exist. Remember our ‘lunch test’? If you find yourself consistently choosing the same set of people to lunch with or always gravitating towards certain team members, that’s a cue to pause and recognize this pattern. Ignorance is not bliss here; it’s a hindrance to both personal and professional growth.
Accept: Drop the Guilt, Embrace the Imperfection
Once you’ve recognized that unconscious bias is playing a role in your decisions, the next step is acceptance. It’s super easy to start feeling guilty or defensive. After all, no one wants to admit to harboring biases. But understand this—having biases doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human. Acceptance is the gateway to positive change, so own your biases.
Investigate: Play the Detective in Your Mind
Post-acceptance, it’s time for some introspection. Revisit your actions, your choices, and even your passive reactions where you might not have spoken but certainly thought something. Break down these scenarios—What led you to think a certain way? Was it something learned, heard, or experienced? This is also where you could employ ‘psychological safety tests‘ within your team to see if they hold any biases towards one another or even towards you.
Non-Identification & Reframe: Separate Yourself from Your Biases
Finally, we get to the ‘N’ in RAIN, which are all about non-identification and reframing. Non-identification means separating your ‘self’ from your ‘biases’. You are not your biases. Once you non-identify, you open the door to reframe these biases. Let’s say you’ve recognized that you favor team members who are always punctual. Rather than labeling yourself as ‘unfair,’ reframe this to focus on how you can create a more equitable work environment. Maybe punctuality can be a team goal rather than an individual expectation.
Applying RAIN in Your Professional Life
Don’t just stop at introspection. Apply the RAIN model actively in your work life. If you’re allocating projects or responding to emails, question your initial instincts. Use the model to check if you’re sidelining anyone. Are you only listening to voices that sound like your own? Are you only trusting opinions that echo your views? Slow down and give room to differing perspectives. Become mindful of the moment.
Building a Personal Plan
Just as you would have a business strategy, create an individualized plan to manage unconscious biases. You could even have a ‘bias journal‘ where you note down instances where you felt your judgment was clouded. Review this journal periodically to gauge your progress.
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Remember, tackling unconscious bias is not a one-time exercise but an ongoing process. It’s challenging but also incredibly rewarding. It opens you up to a plethora of experiences, enriches your decision-making skills, and believe me, it boosts the happiness quotient for both you and the people around you. So go ahead, let it RAIN, and see the change pour in.
Stay tuned for more insights that can help you navigate the complex world of professional relationships, responsibilities, and yes—those pesky biases we all have but seldom acknowledge.
Cheers to a more mindful you!