How can you ensure your mentoring program is free from bias?

1 Assess your own biases

Before you start mentoring someone, you need to be aware of your own biases and how they might influence your interactions. Biases are often subtle and unconscious, but they can affect how you perceive, evaluate, and relate to others. You can use online tools, such as the Implicit Association Test, to measure your implicit biases and learn how to overcome them. You can also reflect on your own assumptions, expectations, and stereotypes about your mentee and their background, and challenge them with evidence and feedback.

3 Communicate openly and respectfully

Another way to reduce bias in mentoring is to communicate openly and respectfully with your mentee, and create a safe and supportive space for dialogue. Communication is key to building trust, understanding, and rapport in a mentoring relationship. You can use active listening, empathy, and curiosity to show your interest and appreciation for your mentee's views and experiences. You can also use inclusive language, such as gender-neutral pronouns, and avoid making jokes or comments that might be offensive or insensitive.

4 Provide fair and constructive feedback

Feedback is an important part of mentoring, as it helps your mentee learn, grow, and improve their performance. However, feedback can also be influenced by bias, and affect how you judge and praise your mentee's work. To provide fair and constructive feedback, you need to use objective and specific criteria, such as skills, behaviors, and outcomes, and avoid vague or subjective terms, such as personality, attitude, or potential. You also need to balance positive and negative feedback , and recognize your mentee's strengths and achievements.