The Respect EffectMay 28, 2015

Dee Anne Bonebright Todd Thorsgaard

Unconscious Bias

Biases are the invisible air we walk through – exerting their influence outside of conscious awareness.

Source:Lieberman, Rock, & Cox2014

Cognitive Shorthand

• Use previous knowledge to make decisions

Shortsighted Outcomes

•Miss new information• Narrow our options

Bias Blind Spot

• Biases are unconscious•We like being right and they

help us• “Most of what goes on in

organizations is unintentional”

Need To Mitigate – Not Just Educate

•More than self-awareness• Group and team processes• Action

“In-Group” Bias

• Affects how people work together•More similar = Positive

perception• Increased interaction and

support for in-group

How to Mitigate “In-Group” Bias

• Find ways to see others who are different from us as also similar• Intergroup interactions• Enhancing communication

Elements of Individuality

Source:Maria Arocha White, Inclusity Consulting

New Definitions

“Diversity means to me your background based on your previous work experience, where you were born and raised, and any unique factors that contribute to your personality and behavior.”

Source:Millennial survey respondentDeloitte University (2015).

The Respect Effect

Source:Paul MeshankoLegacy Business Cultures

Neuroscience of Respect

People can identify another person’s apparent race, gender, and age in a matter of milliseconds. In this blink of an eye, a complex network of stereotypes, emotional prejudices, and behavioral impulses activates.

-- Marsh, Mendoza-Denton, & Smith

Neuroscience of Respect

Why are we able to recognize the human face more easily than any other object?

Disrespect = Threat Response

• The experience is immediately sent to long-term storage in our brains• Adrenaline and cortisol are increased – when it happens and

also when we recall it• Decreases sense of engagement with others, increases stress

and stress-related illnesses

Respect is…

An active process of:• non-judgmentally engaging people• from all backgrounds• to increase my awareness and effectiveness• in a manner that esteems both myself and those with whom I

interact

12 Rules of Respect

1. Be aware of your nonverbal and extra-verbal cues

12 Rules of Respect

2. Develop curiosity about the perspectives of others

12 Rules of Respect

3. Assume that everyone is smart about something

12 Rules of Respect

4. Become a better listener by shaking your “but”

12 Rules of Respect

5. Look for opportunities to connect with and support others

12 Rules of Respect

6. When you disagree, explain why

12 Rules of Respect

7. Look for opportunities to grow, stretch, and change

12 Rules of Respect

8. Learn to be wrong on occasion

12 Rules of Respect

9. Never hesitate to say you are sorry

12 Rules of Respect

10. Intentionally engage others in ways that build their self-esteem

12 Rules of Respect

11. Balance Talking and Listening

12 Rules of Respect

12. Smile

Self-Assessment

Where are you a rock star?

What are your learning edges?

How can you address them?