Dear Bill, do you know what unconscious bias means?

This morning I was reading old some posts in my linked. I always look for the Bill Gates's . But today, he disappointed me. This is what he published

Do you know why? Look at the text of the card: Dad is working in a firm ( with a salary of course ) , Mom in a voluntary work ( like in Mad men TV serie), the girls ( They have no name??) and Bill ( the boy) has a name. The post is about taking time to reflect, but.. he has been unable to realise the huge uncouncoius bias was present in theirs parents post. He lost a good opportunity to talk about gender discrimination and unconscious bias.

What is unconscious bias? 

Bias is a prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another usually in a way that’s considered to be unfair. Biases may be held by an individual, group, or institution and can have negative or positive consequences. 

There are types of biases

1. Conscious bias (also known as explicit bias) and
2. Unconscious bias (also known as implicit bias

We all like to think we are unprejudiced, inclusive and objective; but unconsciously, we tend to gravitate towards the people who look and think like us. Do you know discusses the damaging effects unconscious bias can have on businesses? I am going to give tips for reducing biases in the workplace

• Be aware (Do not let them to unintentionally influence decision making)
• Question your self ( what evidence do I have?)
• Create inclusive meeting practice. If there are only one lady in the room, why should she go to look for a cofee?
• Offer training
• Create a bias concusius and inclusive culture

An example : Due to a crisis in the office, a manager must send a member of their team to resolve the issue that day. There are two candidates to choose from, both equally competent. They both have a spouse and two children and have both recently lost a parent. One is male and the other is female. The manager decides to send the male on the basis that they have a wife who will look after the children and they will be emotionally stronger than the female following the death of their parent. The manager does not seek the opinion of either of the team members.

Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness

Move your organisation ( and yourself) from unconscious to concius bias as the first step to reduce gender discrimination at work and create a work place when everyone feels proud to be there. Engaged employees are 35% more productive.

Joana Visa, Executive Women Coach, from Barcelona to the world