Is It Bias? Making Diversity Work Is It Bias? Short Workshop Welcome to Is It Bias? Short Workshop...

Is It Bias? Making Diversity WorkIs It Bias? Making Diversity Work

Welcome to

Is It Bias? Is It Bias? Short WorkshopShort Workshop

© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D. Slide #1

Preliminary Thoughts Preliminary Thoughts

• Even nice people have biases. • Biases do not make us bad people.• Members of any group can have biases.• All but the most deeply-held of biases can be defeated.


Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:• Objective 1: Define the term bias as it pertains to diversity.• Objective 2: Identify biases in themselves and others.• Objective 3: Practice 3 steps for controlling and even eliminating biases in their thinking.


The Definition of BiasThe Definition of BiasA bias is an inflexible positive or

negative conscious or unconscious belief about a particular category or

group of people.


Case by CaseCase by Case

• Scenario 1: “Mid-20’s – Some Generation Y’s”–Key Point: The interviewer made an

observation about one person, not the entire group. (“some”)


Case by Case, cont.Case by Case, cont.

• Scenario 2: “All Been from Mexico”–Key Point: The speaker made a

reasonable assumption based on the information he had. He should, however, have asked respectful questions rather than jump to conclusions.


Case by CaseCase by Case

• Scenario 3: “Just Like Me”–Key Point: Being drawn to people

who are in some way like us is natural. However, it is valuable and healthy to get to get to know people from other groups as well.



• Scenario 4: “It Seems I Just Can’t Win”–Key Point: Sometimes biases are

implied, not clearly stated.



• Scenario 5: “The Single Mother”–Key Point: Biases can sometimes

hide behind good intentions and kindly acts.



• Scenario 6: “Doesn’t Even Notice Me”–Key Point: Biases about how

people look are an often neglected, and, therefore, particularly destructive, type of bias.



• Scenario 7: “Bias Against Your Own Group”–Key Point: Biases can be directed

against the biased person’s own group.


What Actions Do You Take? What Actions Do You Take?

You have a choice and you have the power.


What Actions Do You Take? Step #1What Actions Do You Take? Step #1

Stop and listen to what you are thinking or saying.


Watch Your First Thought: An Invitation


What Actions Do You Take? What Actions Do You Take? Step #1, cont.Step #1, cont.


Recognize that this is a critical moment.


Dissect Your Bias to Weaken

Its Foundation

• Ask yourself, “Did I learn this bias from a reliable source?”

• Ask yourself, “How many people do I actually know who conform to my bias?”

• Ask yourself, “How many people do I know who do NOT conform to my bias?”




Treat everyone as an individual which means to act as if, your bias does

not exist.


How “Acting as If” Helps Reduce Bias • When we treat people as individuals, they

respond more positively. • When we treat people as individuals, we

have more experience with a variety of people who are different from each other.

• When we treat people as individuals, our attitude gradually changes to conform to our behavior.



Maya Angelou said….Maya Angelou said….

“…people will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but they’ll never

forget how you made them feel.”


This program is based on the book, Making Diversity Work, by Sondra

Thiederman, Ph.D.Cross-Cultural Communications

www.Thiederman.com

Distributed by Learning Communicationswww.learncom.com

800-622-3610© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D. Slide #20

Thank You

http://www.thiederman.com/

http://www.learncom.com/

Is It Bias? Making Diversity Work Is It Bias? Short Workshop Welcome to Is It Bias? Short Workshop...

Documents

Transcript of Is It Bias? Making Diversity Work Is It Bias? Short Workshop Welcome to Is It Bias? Short Workshop...