Does Unconscious Bias Training Create a Better Workplace?

Picture by Noah Busher from Unsplash

In order to answer this question, we must first understand what unconscious bias is, then look at the content and format of such unconscious bias training to see the possible impact. It is crucial to look at how unconscious and conscious biases, diversity and inclusion programs affect the workplace.  Can they help embrace diversity and promote true inclusion?! If done well, we believe they can.

What is Unconscious Bias?

As the words suggest, unconscious bias refers to a bias that we are unaware of, which happens outside of our control.

It is a bias that happens automatically and is triggered by our brain making quick judgments and assessments of people and situations, based on our background, including our cultural environment, our values, and personal experiences. When we hear the words “Unconscious Bias,” many people still tend to have a negative reaction and think of it as something bad that “others have” but “not me”.

However, it is important to understand the concept and then look into our potential biases, which are often unconscious but also conscious, and see how they affect our day to day behaviour, interactions, choices, and decision-making process.

How does it work?

Neuroscience helps to explain our unconscious biases.

According to findings in neuroscience, we are hardwired to have preferences for “sameness” in one way or another and to protect against “differences”. The science tells us that we are hardwired to treat some people more favourably than others, and it only takes a few seconds for our brains to have an unconscious reaction, instinctively - often a “fight or flight” response. As above, we are hardwired to prefer "sameness" in others - those that look, sound, and act like us, and place those we meet into an "in-group" and an "out-group”.

Implicit, or unconscious, bias is a subtle cognitive process that starts in the amygdala. This type of bias can be understood as a “form of rapid ‘social categorization’”. The brain, through the amygdala, processes billions of stimuli per day and our brains must quickly choose what to focus on. This information is primarily used for survival, to make inferences, categorize and feel emotions that attract us to certain people or situations.

However, because the amygdala must process billions of stimuli, our conscious brain does not have the opportunity to properly and clearly interpret all that we see. For example, initial instincts may not be based on fully processed interpretations due to the massive amounts of information coming in at any moment.

Human beings have innate behavioural responses (e.g., fight-and-flight). In dangerous situations, time is of the essence and conscious thinking may take too long. As a result, human beings adapted to respond quickly - and unconsciously - to visual cues that our brains deem dangerous. This useful “survival mind” can lead to biased behaviour in our day to day life, and while stressful, our workplace situations are usually not “dangerous.” This misplaced survival mode can, therefore, create unconscious bias, which leads to undesirable outcomes in the office, including discrimination, prejudices, racism and more.

The issue in all of this is that our brains have inherited the tendency to erroneously deem something dangerous when it is in fact benign. It is safer to make false-positive assumptions (avoid something that was good) than to make false-negative assumptions (not avoid something that was bad).

Why is it important to be aware of our biases?

Biases affect our behaviour, our choices and our decision-making process, all of which then affects our work and day-to-day life. It affects our behaviour and interaction with others. Biases can then lead to:

○ Racism
○ Prejudices
○ Favouritism
○ Discrimination
○ Blindspots
○ Unfair treatments and decisions

It limits our own growth and development as individuals, as we fail to see things clearly.  In so doing, we collectively limit our growth and development as an organisation.

Why is it important to be more aware of our biases and do more unconscious bias training in any business?

First, it is simply the right thing to do so it can create a more harmonious environment and equal opportunities. But if this is not enough to make a “business case”, let’s look at some data. In the PWC 18th Annual Global CEO Survey, for instance, 85% of CEOs surveyed whose companies that have a diversity and inclusion strategy, training on unconscious biases said it had improved their financial bottom line. *1

If those in management do not “open their minds,” improve D&I and see things beyond their biases, they will be left behind *1 (Research from non-profit organisation Catalyst) Unconscious Bias and D&I training create opportunities to learn from others, grow and leverage the differences. It allows new and different views to flourish, which in turn allows the organization to be more flexible, innovative and generally more appealing to a wider range of customers. This all drives performance and growth. *3

Similarly, employees and managers are also looking at Diversity & Inclusion Indices to see who they wish to partner with and who they wish to work with, as well as to measure growth and performance. *2

These are just some of the many reasons and support to why you and your organisation should do more about diversity and inclusion.

*1 https://pwc.blogs.com/ceoinsights/2015/06/five-reasons-why-diversity-and-inclusion-matter.html
*2 https://financial.thomsonreuters.com/content/dam/openweb/documents/pdf/financial/diversity-inclusion-index-faq.pdf
*3 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/better-business/business-sustainability/business-benefits-diversity-inclusion/

How can FELIZ Consulting help?

At FELIZ Consulting, we are committed to creating and delivering training and solutions that make a true impact. We do customised sessions on unconscious bias training, 1:1 leadership coaching and a variety of combined solutions that work for our clients.

Our Unconscious Bias training and Diversity & Inclusion programs assist participants and businesses to increase their awareness and knowledge on the topic and then do something about it to practically adapt, change, open up and improve the workplace.

In our training, we look at examples of conscious and unconscious biases behaviour, diversity vs. true inclusion, communication, perceptions, cultural awareness, empathy, business impact, risks and beyond. We deliver training and solutions based on real-life situations that generate meaningful discussions that make a true impact.

FELIZ Consulting provides a variety of corporate training solutions created specifically to fit your company’s objectives and needs. Some of our programs include:

○ Unconscious Bias Training: Diversity and Inclusion
○ Emotional Intelligence and Behaviour
○ Team Building and Development
○ 1:1 Coaching
○ Group Coaching

Strengthening relationships in the workplace is one of our top priorities. Our programs are set to help teams work together towards their corporate goal. FELIZ Consulting is always ready to LISTEN, CREATE, EVALUATE and DELIVER!

Do you need help with your diversity and inclusion programs? Unconscious Bias training? Personalised Coaching or a combined solution? We are here to help and would love to hear from you!

If you would like to know more about our customised programs for your diversity and inclusion initiatives, please send us a message to [email protected]