In a diverse workplace, unconscious bias can be a hidden obstacle to success and happiness for both leaders and team members. Most of us are not even aware of these biases, but it’s high time we become conscious of the unconscious. Here’s a deep dive into what unconscious bias is and why it’s crucial to understand it.
What is Unconscious Bias?
Unconscious bias refers to the unspoken, instinctual judgments and prejudices we make towards others based on various factors such as age, gender, race, and social background. These biases often run counter to our conscious values and can significantly affect decision-making, team dynamics, and even workplace harmony.
The ‘Who Is More Valuable’ Trap
You might be a brilliant strategist or an empathetic leader, but are you consistently valuing everyone’s contributions? Do you, perhaps unknowingly, consider some roles more ‘valuable’ than others? This can create a damaging hierarchy in the team. Instead of focusing on who brings the most ‘value,’ try to acknowledge that everyone plays a crucial part in the company’s success.
Power Dynamics
Power doesn’t just come with a title; it’s also about visibility and voice. Ever stopped to think why certain people, maybe the ones sitting close to you or those in roles similar to yours, always get more say in meetings? That could be a bias playing out right there. Don’t ignore the quiet guy in the corner or the remote team member who chimes in via video. Their perspectives are just as valuable.
Emotional Labor
Let’s talk about emotional labor—the effort it takes to manage and process your own and other people’s emotions. Some of us are unconsciously biased towards individuals who ‘keep the atmosphere light’ or ‘maintain peace.’ This often puts an unfair burden on those individuals, making them the emotional laborers of the group. Appreciating emotional labor equitably is a conscious choice we need to make.
Career Progression Bias
Are you more likely to assign challenging projects or opportunities to the same set of people? Do they look or think like you? If so, that’s bias. Missing out on promoting a diverse range of talents can become a career-stifling culture, and it’s not just bad for the individual; it’s bad for the business.
Dealing with Shift Employees
If you think managing a 9-5 team is tough, try juggling a team that’s operating on different time zones or shifts. Fairness in assigning work here is critical. It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming shift employees have it easy, or vice versa. Rotating people in roles and timings can give everyone a sense of what life is like on the other side of the clock.
Email Etiquette
How you respond to emails can also indicate bias. Do you treat emails from higher-ups as more critical than those from your subordinates? Your team notices these things, and it contributes to the perception of bias. Make sure your tone, urgency, and consideration are consistent across the board.
Self-Reflection
To tackle unconscious bias, you need to be willing to self-reflect. What do you like at work? Who embodies these qualities in your team? An attention audit can reveal a lot about whom you’re favoring and why. Even little things like who you have lunch with or who you hang out with for a coffee break can say a lot about your biases.
Unconscious Bias – Plan of Action
Knowing is only half the battle. We’ll delve deeper into managing these biases in the next blog post. But for now, start by identifying your areas of unconscious bias. Make individual profiles for each of your direct reports considering their strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and even the trust relationship score between you two.
Becoming Objective and Mindful
Psychological safety is a big deal. If you say something mildly wrong and nobody objects, that might mean your team members are not comfortable challenging your ideas. Are you encouraging an environment where they feel safe to voice their thoughts?
So, take a moment to pause and question your conclusions. Slow down. Be more mindful. These are the first steps in understanding unconscious bias and making your workplace a more inclusive and happier place.