Bias — the uncomfortable truth is that everyone biased. Stereotypes about groups of people are ubiquitous. Some of these preconceived ideas or feelings operate at a level below consciousness, and these are called implicit or unconscious biases. They are not limited to race, gender, age or sexual orientation, but may also include many other issues, such as physical appearance, accents, the origin of birth, sports or even job functions. The reality is you can be biased about anything.
Unconscious Beliefs
Unconscious beliefs affect how you communicate with others. Less friendly behaviors and body language are easily picked up and can make certain members of your team less confident and less able to put forth their best self. Ultimately, productivity and revenue will suffer because discriminated professionals will drag their feet and/or look for other options—companies that make them feel truly part of the workforce.
Implicit Bias
Implicit bias often results in men and women being assessed differently on interviews and job promotions. The Women in the Workplace study by Leanin.org and McKinsey & Company revealed that for every 100 women promoted to managerial positions, 130 men are promoted. According to Sheryl Sandburg, COO of Facebook, women account for only 18% of C suite executives and women of color to only 3%. Decisions you make favoring one person over another for gender or color, or any other unconscious bias, are costly and the reputation of your company suffers.
Hope
There is hope. Inclusion and Diversity Training programs are in demand. By 2019, The Future Work Institute says that 50% of employers will be offering training on unconscious bias. Obviously, this is not enough; all companies need to address this issue, but it is a start. Once people recognize and acknowledge their own unconscious biases and can talk about them, organizations can generate solutions. When symphony orchestras started using blind auditions by placing candidates behind screens and drapes, the number of women and minorities in five leading orchestras in the US increased fivefold.
Creating a more inclusive workforce allows people to be themselves. With contributions and ideas valued by everyone, corporations create better solutions for their customers and increase profitability and revenue. When a company is seen as an inclusive company, they will attract more people and will be known as a “Best Place to Work.”
Continue the Conversation and Communication
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Impact Communications, Inc. consults with individuals and businesses to improve their presentation and telephone communication skills. It is not what you know but how you communicate it that makes a difference. When you have to have impact, phone (847) 438-4480 or visit our website, www.ImpactCommunicationsInc.com.
Impact Communications, Inc. was established in 1998. It is a national presentation communication skills and telephone communication skills training company that excels at defining and developing the core elements of effective business communication. With presentation communication skills training, telephone communications skills training, every encounter can be an efficient and lucid transmission of information.
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