Here's how you can tackle unconscious biases in your career.
In your career, it's crucial to recognize that unconscious biases can subtly influence decisions and interactions. These biases are automatic, unintentional, and often stem from deeply ingrained stereotypes. They can affect hiring, promotions, and daily workplace dynamics. By acknowledging your biases, you can start to mitigate their impact. This involves self-reflection and a willingness to challenge your assumptions. Remember, the goal isn't to feel guilty but to become more aware and make more objective decisions.
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🇵🇸Shazzy T.Mental Health Consultant | Counselling Psychotherapist l Credentialed Mental Health Nurse | Clinical Supervisor I…
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Ray RamsayRisk Management Professional | CPRM | Behavioural Risk and Risk Culture Specialist | Behavioural Psychologist | Board…
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Lisa Penn Alvarado (she/her)DEI Strategist / Executive Coach / Managing Director @ Holistic / Podcast guest / Keynote speaker
The first step in addressing unconscious biases is to acknowledge their existence. You might not be aware of your biases, but they can still affect your behavior and decision-making. Begin by reflecting on your past decisions and consider whether biases may have played a role. It's a challenging process that requires honesty and introspection, but it's a critical step towards becoming more culturally competent in your career.
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First, we need to acquire an advanced understanding of history (historiographic research). Second, we need to acquire an advanced way of explaining sociological phenomena, in other words, we need to dominate both classic and discursive social theories, like Superstructure and Base, Conflict Theory, Social Constructionism, and others. Third, we need to use this knowledge to deconstruct the ideological superstructure that predetermines our automatic reactions to our interaction with the stimuli of otherness. When we say that White Supremacy, Patriarchy, and Empire are ingrained or embedded into the cultural hegemony of Western society, this is what we mean. It is a superstructure that supercedes everything else. Seek paradigmatic change.
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Discrimination and bias are everywhere, and the first step in addressing unconscious biases is to acknowledge their existence. You might not be aware of your biases, but they can still affect your behavior and decision-making. Reflect on your past decisions and consider whether biases played a role. This challenging process requires honesty and introspection, but it's a critical step toward becoming more culturally competent in your career. Embracing diversity and understanding your biases will help create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
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Effectively acknowledging bias, particularly unconscious bias, starts with education - you can not expect people to address something they do not fully understand it. So, does this responsibility fall on the employer or the employee? It's both!
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Acknowledging unconscious biases is like turning on a light in a dark room—it helps you see things more clearly. It's tough to admit that we all have biases lurking in our minds, but it's a crucial first step toward understanding and addressing them. Taking a moment to reflect on past decisions can reveal patterns that we might not have noticed before. It's a journey of self-discovery that ultimately makes us more effective and empathetic professionals.
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Acknowledge (to yourself and others) that you're not immune from unconscious bias. We live in a biased society, and being influenced by the messaging you take in simply due to being a citizen of the world doesn't mean you're a bad person—it means you're a human. What matters is whether and how you identify and address instances where your unconscious bias may come into play.
Gathering feedback from diverse colleagues can provide insight into your biases. Encourage others to share their perspectives on your decisions and behavior. This feedback is invaluable as it comes from varied experiences and backgrounds, offering a broader view that might reveal blind spots in your own thinking. Be open to this feedback, even if it's uncomfortable, as it's essential for personal growth and professional development.
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Seeking feedback from diverse colleagues is like opening a window to let fresh air into your perspective. They bring unique viewpoints shaped by their experiences and backgrounds, which can uncover blind spots you might have missed. Embracing this feedback, even when it's uncomfortable, is key to growth. It's all about expanding your understanding and becoming more inclusive in your thinking and actions.
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Everyone should view feedback as a valuable opportunity for growth. You are perceived not solely by your self-assessment but significantly by how others see you.
To combat unconscious biases, actively seek out diverse experiences and perspectives. Engage with colleagues from different backgrounds, attend cultural events, and consume media that represents a wide range of voices. This exposure can challenge your preconceptions and broaden your understanding of different cultures, which is vital for developing cultural competency in your professional life.
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Addressing unconscious biases requires actively seeking diverse experiences and perspectives. Engage with colleagues from various backgrounds, attend cultural events, and consume media representing a wide range of voices. This exposure will challenge preconceptions and expand your understanding of different cultures. Hear and value each voice, always. These efforts are crucial for developing cultural competency in your professional life, helping you build a more inclusive and empathetic workplace where everyone feels valued.
Continuous education about different cultures and social issues is key to overcoming unconscious biases. Attend workshops, read books, or take courses that focus on cultural competency and diversity. This ongoing learning process will help you recognize biases and understand the experiences of others, which is essential for fostering an inclusive work environment.
Practicing empathy is about trying to understand experiences from another person's perspective. This doesn't mean you'll fully grasp every aspect of someone else's life, but it does mean you're making a conscious effort to listen and learn. Empathy can break down barriers caused by unconscious biases and lead to more meaningful connections with your colleagues.
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Empathy starts with understanding the first two domains of Emotional Intelligence, self and social awareness. It's important to be aware of your emotions and the components of your work that impact how you feel and react, but it's equally important to be socially aware. How do others perceive you? Does your intent match your impact?
Regular reflection on your thoughts and actions is vital to tackling unconscious biases. Set aside time to contemplate your interactions and decisions, examining them for potential bias. Reflecting helps you stay vigilant against unconscious biases creeping into your career and ensures you maintain the progress you've made in becoming more culturally competent.
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○ Reflective supervision empowers practitioners to shape their professional futures. By reflecting on their experiences, they can proactively create positive changes, refine their skills, and contribute to better outcomes for children and families.
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To tackle unconscious biases in your career: 1. Education: Learn about different biases and their impact. 2. Awareness: Recognise when biases may influence decisions. 3. Reflection: Reflect on your own biases and behaviors. 4. Challenge: Speak up and challenge biased actions or decisions. 5. Diversity: Advocate for diverse hiring and inclusive practices. 6. Training: Engage in bias awareness and mitigation training. 7. Feedback: Seek and provide feedback to promote awareness and accountability. Consistent effort in these areas helps mitigate unconscious biases, fostering a more equitable and inclusive workplace.