How can you eliminate unconscious bias in the workplace?

1 Assess your own biases

The first step to eliminating unconscious bias is to acknowledge that you have it. Everyone has some form of unconscious bias, whether it is related to gender, race, age, culture, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. To identify your own biases, you can take online tests, such as the Implicit Association Test (IAT), or use self-reflection tools, such as the Harvard Business Review's 50 Questions to Detect Bias. By becoming more aware of your own biases, you can start to challenge them and change your behavior.

2 Seek diverse perspectives

Another way to eliminate unconscious bias is to seek out and listen to diverse perspectives from different people and sources. By exposing yourself to different opinions, experiences, and backgrounds, you can broaden your understanding and appreciation of diversity, and reduce the influence of stereotypes and assumptions. You can seek diverse perspectives by joining or creating affinity groups, mentoring programs, or cross-functional teams, by reading or watching diverse media and content, or by participating in cultural events and activities.

3 Interrupt bias in action

A third way to eliminate unconscious bias is to interrupt it when you see it or hear it in action. This means speaking up or taking action when you notice bias in yourself or others, such as in meetings, conversations, feedback, or decision-making processes. By interrupting bias, you can prevent it from affecting the outcomes and relationships in the workplace, and create a more inclusive and respectful culture. You can interrupt bias by using respectful language, asking questions, providing evidence, or offering alternative perspectives.

4 Implement inclusive policies and practices

A fourth way to eliminate unconscious bias is to implement inclusive policies and practices that support diversity and equity in the workplace. This means reviewing and revising your processes and systems to ensure that they are fair, transparent, and consistent, and that they do not favor or disadvantage any group or individual. You can implement inclusive policies and practices by using objective criteria and data, involving diverse stakeholders, providing training and education, or using tools and technology.

5 Evaluate and monitor your progress

A fifth way to eliminate unconscious bias is to evaluate and monitor your progress and impact. This means measuring and tracking your results and outcomes, and seeking feedback and input from others, to assess how well you are reducing and eliminating unconscious bias in the workplace. By evaluating and monitoring your progress, you can identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and celebrate your achievements and successes. You can evaluate and monitor your progress by using surveys, interviews, audits, or analytics.

6 Commit to continuous learning

A sixth way to eliminate unconscious bias is to commit to continuous learning and development. This means staying curious and open-minded, and seeking new knowledge and skills, to enhance your cultural competency and awareness. By committing to continuous learning, you can keep up with the changing and diverse needs and expectations of your workplace, and adapt your behavior and actions accordingly. You can commit to continuous learning by setting goals, seeking feedback, or accessing resources and opportunities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?